On Our Cover

The fetching ladies on our cover are volunteers at local charity E Beauty. Started by just one person, it has grown to be the largest wig exchange in the nation. In 2011 Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after chemotherapy caused her to lose her hair, a relative bought her a wig. Did you know that it can take insurance as long as 6 months to approve a wig purchase, if it is even approved at all? And if you wish to just go ahead and get one on your own, they can cost up to $8,000? When you are physically and emotionally at your lowest point, being able to look in the mirror with confidence can make all the difference, and most women do not have the resources to buy their own wig.

A few months after Leslie went into remission another relative was diagnosed with cancer, so Leslie paid it forwards and sent her wig to that relative. An idea was born. What happens to all the wigs that are no longer needed? Many of them lie abandoned in boxes at cancer treatment centers and hospitals or they are simply thrown away. Leslie contacted them and had the discarded wigs sent to her. First the wigs needed to be cleaned and restyled, then they could be sent to women in need. In 2018 EBeauty partnered with Paul Mitchell Schools whose students donate their time to clean and style the wigs, without their help this process would be much more costly.

Speaking of money, none of the costs are passed along to the recipients - any woman who needs a wig is given at least one, and Leslie tries to send supplies along with the wigs. A wig brush, a stand, false eyelashes (because you lose those too) and caps are all part of the package.

The operation has blossomed into a massive venture, thousands of wigs are shipped to ‘base camp’ here in Verrado to be sorted and donated and that takes manpower. EBeauty runs on volunteer power and is always in need of volunteers, people to sort the donations, package them, match the wigs to their requested wigs, and ship them to their destinations. Many women find not only a sense of purpose when they volunteer here but also a community in its own right.

If you have time and a desire to help others then this could be a perfect fit for you. If you don’t have time, but want to help, then donations to offset costs are always welcomed. Visit www.ebeauty.com or scan this QR code with your phone for more information.