ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. — Kids were helping kids in local communities in a partnership between Bates Academy, an elementary school in the Detroit Public Schools Community District, and Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, a local, grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan provides wigs and support services to children ages 3 to 18 at no charge throughout the state of Michigan. The organization has served over 5,200 kids experiencing hair loss from cancer, alopecia, trichotillomania, lupus, hydrocephalus, burns, skin disorders, dog bites, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, diabetes & cartilage-hair hypoplasia (dwarfism) since 2003.
Bates Academy’s core mission is to foster high levels of instruction and learning, with the ultimate goal being high student academic achievement & superior citizenship. Teachers, students and parents share this responsibility and are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment.
Through a compassion project headed by teacher Rolanda Mathews, Bates Academy 5th – 8th grade students who aspire to be doctors and are part of the “Junior White Coats” pre-med program, have learned about hair loss & helped design a wig with the support of a local associate hair restoration cosmetologist, Lamaine Lockhart from Hair Creations Studio Salon. They recently gifted a wig to a local child in the Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan program to wear as an addition to their current wig after touring the organization’s Wellness Center (30130 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082).
“I have had the privilege of working with Detroit Public Schools prior and I’ve met via Zoom with the pre-med students a few times as they prepared for this project,” said Maggie Varney, Founder and CEO. “I invited them to tour our Wellness Center & have a complete understanding of everything that we do for the children we serve. I think it’s important for the students to know the difference that they’re making.”
