Local business finds
way to help contribute
with natural disaster

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – For more than five weeks now, life in the Gulf Coast region has been less than ideal. With crude oil spilling into the ocean at an alarming and continuous rate, the BP oil spill looks to be even more devastating than the infamous Exxon Valdez disaster of 1989.

The folks at Creative Salon on U.S. Highway 68 are looking to do something about it, and last Saturday, they did. The small staff of three stylists hosted the salon’s first “cut-a-thon.”

Haircuts were discounted to $9, and all proceeds, tips and even hair went to the Matter of Trust, an organization that has devoted its efforts to assist in spill clean-up.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of months, but it didn’t really make sense to anyone else at the time,” said stylist Cassie Fowler. “After the oil spill happened, then it did. We just wanted to do our part.”

Hair has, in the past, been used in hair mats — panty hose stuffed with hair — to assist in oil clean-up. While BP and the U.S. Coast Guard have stated they will not make use of the mats, Matter of Trust is encouraging all who can contribute to do so.

Fowler said the salon intends to send the hair, regardless, in hopes it could be of use.

“Paul Mitchell is on board,” Fowler said. “People think that once its cut, hair is just trash, but that’s not true. It can be used for a lot of things, natural things.”

All in all, 22 community residents stepped in to get snipped at the cut-a-thon, bringing in $198 plus tip contributions.

The salon is collecting items for donation to ship to Matter of Trust, as well. Old pantyhose and pet hair are needed.

“Any groomers that would like to bring us what they have, we’d be happy to take it,” said stylist Lindsey May.

Those wishing to contribute may bring items to Creative Salon by June 5. For more information, call 527-2625 or email cas.fow@hotmail.com.