HELPING OTHERS

Christie Parrish worked as a hair stylist for 27 years, but admitted to being a little nervous Wednesday as she gave a haircut to her granddaughter, Allyson Rae Dugan, 7.
The youngster, however, was smiling and happy because she had wanted to have her hair cut for the past two years.
The 10-inch ponytail of her thick brunette hair will be donated to Locks of Love, which provides wigs and hairpieces to children and others who have suffered hair loss from cancer treatment and other medical problems.
“I wanted to do it because of the sick people,” Allyson said. “I saw them doing it at the Relay for Life in Fort Scott. I wanted to do it last year but my hair wasn’t long enough.”
“We’ve walked at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Fort Scott for the past three years now,” said Parrish, who did the cutting at her rural Arcadia home because she no longer operates a beauty shop.
Allyson is the daughter of Jenny and Ryan Dugan. Her mother is an X-ray technician at Fort Scott Mercy Medical Center.
Cancer has touched the family, including great-grandmother Vera Parrish.
“Grandma Vera is a survivor,” Allyson said proudly.
“I’ve also got a really good friend who’s fought cancer,” her mother added.
Allyson’s father didn’t really want her to cut her thick brunette hair, but said she could if she really, really wanted to.
“It looks pretty good,” he said after the trim.
“We need to cut it more — I want it short,” Allyson said. “I want it so I can brush it by myself at night. This is going to be awesome.”
“You’ll make some other little girl smile the way you’re smiling,” her mother said.
“You don’t know — it might be a little boy,” Allyson replied.
She added that this won’t be the only time she gives to Locks of Love.
“I’m going to grow my hair out again and then again,” Allyson said.
After the trim, the family, which also includes grandfather Wayne Parrish, went out for ice cream to celebrate.
Allyson will be a second grade student in the fall at Northeast Elementary School, Arma. She has two brothers, Karter and Kadin.
By coincidence, she also lost a tooth on Wednesday, and someone mentioned that the tooth fairy might be visiting her.
“Maybe the hair fairy will come, too,” Allyson said.