Shannon Wahner talks to a friend while April Kowalski-Milbrodt cuts Gus Wahner's hair for a Locks of Love donation Saturday at Main Stylin' Nook in Stanfield. Oct. 9, the salon will hold a Locks of Love donation drive.

An area business grew closer to its goal Saturday as three area residents donated more than 30 inches of hair to Locks of Love.

A non-profit organization, Locks of Love provides hairpieces to children suffering long-term medical hair loss nationwide, and for Stanfield husband and wife Gus Wahner and Shannon McDonald-Wahner, the organization is the perfect way to help children in need.

I wanted to know what my hair would look like when I grew it out, and Locks of Love was a good thing to do after, Wahner said Saturday while having his locks clipped at Main Stylin Nook.

McDonald-Wahner said Locks of Love can help give children with medical conditions more confidence.

We just felt like its a good way to help kids and to help them have a good view of themselves, she said.

The couple each donated more than 10 inches of hair to the program on Saturday.

At the salon, the Wahners were joined by an impromptu donator as well, Bob Timmons of Irrigon, who continues to grow out and donate his hair in honor of his late wife, Mary Ellen Timmons.

She talked me into donating my hair three years ago, and I grew it out again (to donate it) in memory of her, Timmons said.

As with the three donations Saturday, Main Stylin Nook takes Locks of Love donations throughout the year the hair cut is free when donating at least 10 inches and Oct. 9, the salon will host its fifth annual Locks of Love Hair Drive.

We started the drive five years ago because there was a lady, Mary (Timmons), from Irrigon, who had cancer nine times. She was the inspiration, she was our spokesperson until she passed away two years ago, salonm coordinator Sherry Kowalski said. We kept doing it, and well continue to do it.

Each year, Main Stylin Nook sets a goal for the number of inches of hair donated. For 2010, the goal is 1,200 inches, and as of Monday, the salon has collected about 800. After the drive, the hair and any monetary proceeds from the raffle or donations will be sent to the organization.

We appreciate all of the businesses that donate and everyone who donates hair, Kowalski said. We do it for the kids that have cancer and other diseases that lose their hair.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact the salon at 541 449-3715.