Selfridge Firefighters Help Local Children

Published Aug. 8, 2008
By 2nd. Lt. Anthony Lesterson
127 Wing Public Affairs

6 August -- The Selfridge Air National Guard Base Fire Department presented an $8,000 check to Wigs 4 Kids, a non profit charity that provides wigs for children who suffer from hair loss due to some form of illness on August 6. Ms. Maggie Varney, founder and CEO of Wigs 4 Kids, received the check from Fire Chief Mark S. Palm.

To raise the money, the Selfridge Fire Department dedicated funds raised at their annual golf tournament held in July to the local charity. There were 180 golfers who participated in this event to help childrens' families that lack the financial means to purchase wigs to improve their self esteem.

Selfridge Firefighter Max Corning played a big role in organizing the golf outing along with the help of Mr. Dan Peterek, a member of the Detroit Chapter Parrot Head Club. The Parrot Head Club is a non-profit organization that assists in community outreach programs and is an organization of people who are long time Jimmy Buffett fans who promote the tropical atmosphere and free spirit attitude. Both gentlemen, and many members of their organizations, contributed to make the event a success.

Ms. Varney received the check and expressed her deep appreciation with tears in her eyes, stating, "It means so much to me and the kids; these kids go through so much already and this really increases their self esteem."

The Wigs 4 Kids is an individually funded non profit through private citizens' donations. Most of the children who receive wigs are cancer patients who have suffered hair loss due to cancer treatments.

"These sick children deal with many different difficulties and challenges in life and I am committed to ensuring that as many children as possible can receive a wig," said Ms. Varney. She says the wigs provided help to increase the morale and self esteem of the children who are going through a traumatizing experience.

Ms. Varney is the owner of a hair salon in St Clair Shores, Mich., and personally fits each wig and styles it to the child's desired request.   She closes her salon on Mondays and Tuesdays only servicing the children who are fortunate enough to receive a wig on those days. Each wig costs between $1200 and $3500 and in many cases the children will outgrow their wig and need a replacement.