For 18-year-old Samantha Fretz, a commitment to helping others came with an aha moment in kindergarten.
At a Crossroads School assembly that year, she witnessed an older girl getting her hair cut to donate it to a charity that makes wigs for kids experiencing hair loss. She was so inspired by the act of kindness that she decided to do the same thing.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake resident had her first ponytail cut for charity at eight years old. After three years of growing her hair back, she did it again at 11 years old, then again at 15.
On May 25, the recent Laura Secord Secondary School graduate donated her fourth ponytail to Angel Hair for Kids. At the same time, she began a fundraiser called Haircuts for Happiness to raise enough money to cover the cost of a wig for a child in need.
Every year thousands of Canadian children lose their hair due to cancer treatments, alopecia, and other medical conditions.
Angel Hair for Kids is a Canadian organization that provides wigs to children suffering from medical conditions that cause hair loss. It takes 10 to 12 ponytails and $2,500 to make one wig, which is given to the children free of charge.
“It is tough enough for a child to deal with these life-changing conditions,” Samantha says. “They shouldn't also have to deal with the loss of self-esteem and confidence that comes from losing their hair. Supporting Angel Hair for Kids is a simple yet powerful way to give these children back a piece of themselves.”
NOTL’s 2021 Youth Under 16 Volunteer of the Year gives back in other ways as well. She is a former member of the Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee and during the pandemic was recognized for creating a COVID-19 safety and mental health video, organizing virtual game nights and packing and handing out bags for youth wellness.
As a long-standing member of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Pathfinders, Fretz graduated to the Rangers three years ago. The Rangers is the oldest youth branch of the Girl Guides organization. In 2022 Fretz helped the Rangers organize a drive to collect menstrual products in support of the United Way’s Period Promise campaign.
Next week Samantha leaves with her Rangers group for a 12-day trip to England, France, Germany, and Switzerland. They will visit two Girl Guide World Centres - Pax Lodge in England and the Chalet in Switzerland - where they will meet other units from across the world, explore historically significant places, and learn about the different cultures.
She attributes her dedication to helping others to the example set by her mother, Amanda.
“As a toddler, I would go to the store with my mom and buy toys and food to donate to local charities,” remembers Samantha. “My mom is always volunteering for various organizations and helping others whenever she can so she sets a great example for me and my brother Maximus (15).”
And in a full-circle moment, the daughter has now influenced her mother. When Samantha cut off her ponytails in May, Amanda joined in on the action, donating her own hair for the first time.
“Her hair had grown longer than she usually keeps it over COVID so I suggested she just keep growing it,” says Samantha. ”She loved the idea of us growing it and donating it together. She actually had to wear it in a bun or ponytail for the last six months before cutting it because it was always getting in her way.”
In September, Samantha is off to Trent University in Peterborough to study forensic sciences, hoping to become a crime scene investigator in the future.
“I don't know yet if I want to work in the field or in a lab,” she says. “ I have always enjoyed science, and halfway through Grade 10 the idea came to me, and it has been my career goal ever since.”
And she ensures The Local that she wasn’t at all influenced by watching any CSI shows on television.
The Peterborough community is sure to benefit in the coming years from Samantha’s commitment to helping others. And she hopes that her current fundraiser will not just help pay for a wig for a child whose life will be changed by it, but will also encourage others to grow out their hair to donate to Angel Hair for Kids.
“This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart,” she says. “I have seen pictures of wig recipients on their website and social media. It's heartwarming to see their smiles and read their stories about how much receiving a wig means to them.”
To donate to Haircuts for Happiness, visit Samantha’s fundraiser at Canada Helps. Samantha is halfway toward reaching her goal of $2,500. The fundraiser is active until July 30.
