Alabama family travels to Shores to donate hair to Wigs 4 Kids

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Trey Irvin, of West Blocton, Alabama, found himself in a hairy situation when COVID-19 hit in 2020.

Like many people, the youngster was unable to get a haircut because barbershops and hair salons were closed due to the pandemic.

So, his blond hair grew and grew. When Trey’s family found out about Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan in St. Clair Shores, Trey decided to continue growing his locks so he could donate them to the nonprofit organization.

“I like that idea,” is what he told his mom.

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan provides wigs and support services to children between 3 and 18 who are experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment, alopecia, Down syndrome, burns, lupus, skin and blood disorders, and more.   

On June 28, 9-year-old Trey, his mom Randi Irvin and grandmother Rose Bates traveled from their hometown near Birmingham, Alabama, to St. Clair Shores so Trey could donate his hair. The trip took about 14 hours. On June 29, hairstylist Sara Pietrykowski gave Trey a haircut modeled after one of his football heroes: Tom Brady.

Trey received his new hairdo at the Go Green Salon located inside Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan Wellness Center, 30130 Harper Ave. He even brought a photo to give to Pietrykowski to show her what type of hairstyle he had in mind.

“He knew what haircut he wanted,” Pietrykowski said. “He was definitely looking forward to it.”

Pietrykowski cut off enough hair to make one wig. She cut off 14 ponytails, and they were all over 12 inches, including a few that were 15 inches in length.

“I think he looks real good,” Bates said, giving her grandson a fist bump.

“I think it looks great. He looks very handsome,” Randi said. She added they heard about another organization closer to home that made wigs for children; however, that charity charges families for the hairpieces, while Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan does not.

“I like what they do here. I’m glad we chose this place,” Randi said.

“I’m very happy,” Trey said. “I just want to be nice.”

Trey admitted that sometimes having flowing tresses these past two years “was not fun.”

“In the summer, my neck could get pretty hot because of how much hair I had,” he said.

Sometimes, he received negative comments from people who thought his hair was too long. He would explain, “I’m growing it out for cancer kids.”

Dad Jamison Irvin and sisters Tiana Irvin, 15, and Ralyn Irvin, 13, weren’t able to make the trip but were behind Trey all the way.

“We’re very proud of him,” Randi said. “I think it’s great for him to do something bigger than himself. His dad is very proud of him.”

Since Trey is such a huge sports fan and wants to play for the National Football League someday, he, Randi and Bates stopped at a few football stadiums on their way to Michigan.

“We saw where the Tennessee Titans play football, where the Cincinnati Reds play (baseball) and saw where the Bengals play,” Randi said. “He took some pictures.”   

For coming all the way from Alabama to donate his hair, Trey received a certificate from Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan. Maggie Varney, the organization’s founder and CEO, also presented the soon-to-be fourth grader with an official NFL football, which NFL star athlete Chris Maragos autographed.

“He signed this football for you. Isn’t that cool? You’re such a nice young man,” Varney told Trey. “Thank you for what you do. God bless you for helping us out. When Trey’s mother called, we were so touched.”

Trey, Randi and Bates also toured the 4,600-square foot Wellness Center, where a dinosaur-themed tea party was held inside the Enchanted Tea Room in Trey’s honor. The tearoom is a place where young children who receive wigs have parties with family and friends.

The Wellness Center also has a counseling office, a manicure and pedicure suite, nutrition room, and a kids’ fitness area. In addition, the Go Green hair salon — where Trey received his haircut — is open to the general public. Those who decide to donate hair can have their hair cut at Go Green or use their own barbershop or salon.

‘We never turn anyone away.’

Varney is a licensed cosmetologist who started Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan in 2003. Wigs are provided to families at no cost. When families first arrive at the Wellness Center, they undergo a consultation.

“We see pictures of what their hair looked like before they lost their hair. We never turn anyone away. Each wig is custom made for each child,” Varney said. “We get hair from 66 countries and received over 24,000 hair donations last year.”

Those countries included Germany, Ireland, India, Bosnia, Brazil and Thailand. Wigs 4 Kids exclusively serves children in Michigan. In 2021, the nonprofit organization provided wigs and support services to children in 52 counties. Wigs 4 Kids works with eight hospitals that provide pediatric oncology services.

According to a Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan brochure, the charity accepts a minimum of 10 inches in hair length, but longer lengths are appreciated. Hair may not be colored, chemically treated or more than 10% gray. In addition, there are several programs in which to make monetary donations to support the program.

Another spot at the Wellness Center is the Angel Memorial Garden where the kids grow vegetables. It also pays tribute to those children who died from their illnesses. Families are welcome to come to the garden to reflect. According to Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids, children’s survival rate of cancer is 75%.

“It’s just a nice calming space where we remember them,” Wigs 4 Kids Developmental Director Jennifer Fisher said.

For more information about Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan or to make a donation, visit wigs4kids.org or call (586) 772-6656.

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Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan will hold its 19th Annual Gala at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at Barrister Gardens, 24225 Harper Ave., in St. Clair Shores. The event also will be held in a virtual setting. Tickets are $100 per adult and $40 for children 11 and younger. Guests will be seated in tables of eight, and masks are optional. The evening will include dinner, entertainment, raffles, auctions and sweet treats. For tickets, visit wigs4kids.org or call (586) 772-6656.