Haircuts helped fight cancer

By Jennifer Grybowski
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE - Tantasqua Regional High School (TRHS) seniors Sara Arnone and Jordan Bowen raised $700 for Harrington Hospital Cancer Center - one haircut at a time - when they organized a community cut-a-thon at Park Place Salon in Sturbridge last month. The project was a community service effort put forth as part of Roberta Dunn’s Dynamics In Democracy class at the high school.
Bowen said they decided to donate the profits to Harrington because so many people are affected by cancer.
“It’s an awesome cause,” she said. “It was the best thing we could think of doing.”
The students advertised for the cut-a-thon by putting up flyers around town and starting a Facebook group. Bowen said they were nervous about the undertaking, but as the day went on, it all came together.
“It worked out really well,” Bowen said. “We were really happy and excited about how it turned out.”
In fact, Bowen said that some people who didn’t need a haircut just stopped by to give a donation.
In addition to the cuts, supporters could also purchase raffle tickets for prizes donated by Sadie Greens, the Publick House, the Sturbridge Coffee House, Simple Indulgence Day Spa, George’s Pizza, Churchills and Thai Place. Refreshments were donated by Poletti’s Fruit Store, Dunkin’ Donuts, Stop & Shop and Shaw’s.
“It was cool to get the entire community involved with the cause,” Bowen said. “It was great that they helped cancer patients and supported Tantasqua students.”
Bowen said she was grateful to Park Place Owner Lisa Kasolowsky for donating the salon and its services.
“Lisa was very good to us,” Bowen said. “All the employees were very nice and they didn’t take any tips.”
Kasolowsky said she was happy to help.
“Their goals are pretty much tied to ours - contributing to the community for the benefit of health and human services,” Kasolowsky said. “We like working with and helping local people and helping the high school.”