“There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.” Mary Ellen Chase

Mackenzie Bearup and Sheltering Books is our current “In It To Win It” recipient. Mackenzie is 18 years of age. She suffers from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This incurable disease characterized by severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin inspired Mackenzie to create the Non-Profit Organization, Sheltering Books in 2007.

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” Stephen King

Sheltering Books collects books to donate to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and residential treatment centers that house children throughout the U.S. To date, Mackenzie and her two brothers, Alex and Benjamin have delivered over 360,000 donated books to children in these shelters. Books have helped to remove Mackenzie from her daily discomfort caused from her disease. Recognizing the healing “magic” of books and her desire to offer this same sense of peace to those children perhaps in pain themselves of a completely different nature reflects a deep sense of thoughtfulness wrapped in pure goodness.

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” Mason Cooley

As our “In It To Win It” recipient, O.C.’s Hair Police will forward a monetary donation to Sheltering Books reflecting our gratitude for their efforts to heal the hearts and minds of those children that find themselves in a less than desirable situation that they can neither fix nor remove themselves from physically. O.C.’s Hair Police would like to further honor Mackenzie’s efforts by establishing our very own “Sheltering Books” in our Treatment Center over the summer of 2015.

Walt Disney once wrote, “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”

The book donations that we receive throughout the summer will then be offered to the local chapter of Project Hope Alliance as they are collected. Project Hope Alliance has been working toward ending the cycle of homelessness throughout our country for over 25 years. In Orange County alone, there are 30,000 homeless children. Project Hope Alliance tirelessly works with homeless children to peel away the layers of stress, anxiety, and trauma so that they may stand the greatest chance of success in living a balanced, healthy life free from the emotionally paralyzing and chaotic state that homelessness triggers within the brain.

“You will be transformed by what you read.” Deepak Chopra

O.C.’s Hair Police recognizes that it is as a community that we define tomorrow’s level of kindness and sense of communal purpose by what we do today. It is in this spirit, that we excitedly ask to join with you to collect books to be donated to Project Hope Alliance. With each book that we receive from you, your child or children’s name/s will be placed on our “Best Day”     donor wall for those that follow to be inspired to hopefully do the same.

“…when you put a book in a child’s hands, you are bringing that child news of the infinitely varied nature of life. You are an awakener.” Paula Fox

We will be collecting books during regular business hours. A box will be placed outside our door for those that stop by when we are closed. In advance, O.C.’s Hair Police thanks you for teaming with us to help heal one child at a time.