2011 Stream Clean Up

Have you ever stopped to think where that cigarette butt, empty soda can or trash that some people throw out of their vehicles end up? Most of the time it will end up blowing around on the side of the road but with a good, heavy rain the chance of that trash ending up in our waterways is quite high even despite environmental regulations. Trash that ends up in our waterways, whether intentionally or unintentionally, not only ruins the aesthetics of our beautiful waterscapes but also poses a real threat to the various forms of wildlife that inhabit these areas such as fish, snakes, toads, beavers and multiple water fowl.

Common household trash is one of the main sources of trash that fills our lakes and streams. Plastic products such as cups, bags, wrappers, bottles and other plastic containers are especially hazardous to the wildlife often causing slow strangulation or internal damage if swallowed by an animal.

In April, we participated in the Annual Overland Park Stream Clean and picked up trash bag after trash bag of discarded debris and materials along Indian Creek from 103rd Street to 106th Street. Pop and beer cans and bottles, golf balls, clothing, plastic bags, broken CDs were just a few of the items that filled our bags. The Stream Clean Up did not only just involve adults picking up trash. Many children and young adults joined in on the activities and were exposed to the carelessness of individuals as they helped in the clean-up efforts. Lessons were learned by all that day.

As long as there are careless people in this world, there will always be trash that ends up on our roadways and waterways. It is up to us to take care of our environment and our wildlife so that future generations can enjoy them. It cost nothing to volunteer for the Stream Clean Up, just a few hours on a Saturday morning. What it provided for the community and the environment was priceless.

What are you going to do to ensure that our future generations can enjoy the beauty we see today?

The Gift of Hair?

Hair- we use it as fashion, protection and warmth but have you had to face the thought of losing your hair? Perhaps if your aging you've dealt with the comb full of hairs or have noticed some thinning in areas. Most of us will be faced with some loss sooner or later.
Patients undergoing chemo know the trauma of losing their hair oh so well. It's a trauma for many because we generally wrap our identity around our hair. We cut, color, and style in an attempt to look and feel our best and create that appearance of being well kept. With our dad having to battle cancer twice we know how even at 80 years old it can be hard when the inevitable happens.

This blog is about a 10 year old girl who decided to give her hair to Locks of Love, http://www.locksoflove.org/, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Her name is Meredith and had been growing her hair for around three years when she decided she wanted to do something for someone else
by giving 10 inches of her hair. Many hair dressers offer to cut hair free if donating it to one of the various hair donation organizations- as did Lori Greenberg from LA Cuts. She feels it's an honor to help someone in this selfless act and welcomes those interested.

After getting her hair cut, Meredith experienced the unusual difference in the weight of her hair but after getting over the initial loss I couldn't keep her away from the mirror. Before we left the shop she told me she didn't want to get it cut again until the next time she can donate. A giver in the making!

What are you doing to extend your hand to others?
Each of us have the power to change someones life regardless of our age, abilities or income. All that is needed is the desire! Send us your stories so that we can post them to encourage others.

(Various hair donation organizations have different stipulations for hair donations so please research the different sites that best suit your needs.)