In 2000, we approached the Guiness Book of World Records to see if we could somehow establish a record in the collection of ponytails for Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses they provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.
Guiness agreed initially to provide a new record category, that of "Most Ponytails Collected" and evaluated our submission and documentation of the collection of over 600 ponytails. Our hope was that by providing a benchmark of 600, that future record attempts would have a goal to reach and surpass, as well as those donors having the privilege of being part of a new World Record.
Their final response to our effort however, was that because they evaluate and consider thousands of requests for new records every year, they didn't think this record attempt would generate a level of interest for their book or to consider it's inclusion noteworthy.
While eating 63 hotdogs in 30 seconds and blowing spaghetti through your nose is all fascinating and no doubt interesting, we think this record attempt and the service it provides to these children requires a second look. Please consider donating your hair or yhour children's hair at our next "hair-raising" event, coming soon to a salon near you!