Ella Dennler donates hair to help those in need

Cresco - Ella Dennler, daughter of Dale and Stephanie Dennler of Cresco, recently turned a haircut into an opportunity to help others.

The nine-year-old agreed to donate her hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, where it will be made into a wig.

Stephanie said, “Ella has only gotten her hair trimmed in the past, and has always had longer hair. This is the shortest it has been since she was two-years-old.

“I have been going to Melissa [Shelton, of Hair du Jour] for three months and mentioned to her that Ella wanted to cut her hair. I had told Ella the only way I would be happy to let her would be if she donated it. Melissa mentioned that if Ella and I wanted, she would agree to cut it. So, we made an appointment the Tuesday before school started.”

Stylist Shelton said she researched wig-making organizations, looking for the perfect fit for Ella.

“We agreed it should be an organization that didn’t charge women and children for the wigs. Pantene Beautiful Lengths was the perfect choice.”

Shelton said the requirement for a donation is a minimum of eight inches, and that Ella had approximately nine inches of hair cut off.

“Ella’s mom was proud of her, and I hope other girls and boys are just as courageous; I had one awesome young man donate his hair.”

She stresses it is important that everyone in the family should be in agreement with a decision to have hair cut and donated.

“Make sure everyone is on board with donating: Mom, Dad and the child,” she said.

As for Stephanie, she said her daughter loves her new haircut.

“Ella was so surprised when she looked in the mirror after Melissa cut her hair,” she said. “Before we had the appointment, I explained to Ella what it meant to donate her hair. She now understands the process and was grateful to donate her hair to someone in need. She is such a caring and thoughtful nine-year-old with a big heart. This (decision) just fits her personality.”

In addition to the caring gesture, Stephanie says Ella appreciates the practicality of a shorter cut.

“When you ask her about her hair now, she smiles and says it is so easy for her to get her hair ready in the morning.”