This gift of doing, giving and caring needs to be part of our daily life and for some, like Jefferson Public School it has turned into action through Angel Hair for Kids, a project of A Child's Voice Foundation.

Jefferson and Rosa Laterza, owner of R Styles Hairstyling in North Park Plaza joined together in an inspiring event that the school called, We Care Hair Care".

Two weeks ago, Rosa and her staff cut teachers' and students' hair to make wigs for kids whose scalps have been ravaged by radiation or chemotherapy treatments, alopecia and other burn scalp injuries.

Jefferson Public School kids' hair will be part of thousands of hair contributions made into wigs for about 10,000 kids who are struggling with painful and difficult medical conditions that can have a devastating effect on self esteem and confidence.

Each of the wigs cost between $800 to $1,500 to make depending on hair style and manufacturing requirements. Angel Hair provides wigs for children whose families can't afford to buy one. Each year, Angel Hair for Kids receives requests from children's hospitals, the Canadian Cancer Society and social workers.

When the day was over, seven girls and two teachers donated nine ponytails of 10 inches or more.

Eight boys collected money and shaved their heads. The school bake sale sponsored by parents raised almost $400 for Angel Hair for Kids. All in all, kids, parents and teachers raised $1,283.93 for children with ABC conditions. Added to that sum was the monies raised by Rosa of R Styles.

For some, who have religious convictions, this simple act of donating one's hair could easily be an act of religious virtue and for others it could be an act of significant caring.

The results are the same, even if the motives are different- children helping children to feel good about themselves during a difficult time.

For the kids cutting their hair, it is a simple act of altruism and a statement that we are our brother's keeper even if it is for people that we do not even know.

In an era that stresses material gain and the philosophy of me first, Jefferson school, like many of our publicly funded schools, are engaged in teaching and doing actions that run against the popular tide. The teaching of empathy, caring and compassion for other people is part of the school curricula and this reflects on basic Canadian values of helping our neighbours, friends and family when in need. Canadians do this not only locally, provincially, nationally but also around the world.

We have a proud record of helping people everywhere there is a need and our schools are significant players in helping kids all over the world.

So hats off to Jefferson Public School, their administrative team, teachers, students, parents and especially Kim Russell, teacher liberian, who saw a way to involve her school, students and parents in a project that is a tribute to all those involved.