By GORDON D. FIEDLER JR.

Salina Journal

Students are taught to use their head, and Andy Crump, 13, is doing just that, only not in an academic sense.

The teenager at Ell-Saline High School has not seen a barber since August 2007 and probably won't see one again for a few more months.

When he does, he'll get his money's worth.

By then, Crump's locks will be more than 10 inches long, the minimum length required for a donation to Locks of Love, the organization that fashions real human hair into wigs for victims of cancer and other diseases.

The hirsute but quiet Crump said he was inspired by family and friends who have had or succumbed to cancer.

His mother's sister was diagnosed with cancer in March 2007 and, after treatment, was found cancer-free four months later.

Not so fortunate was Rick Hraban, a friend of his father, Dennis. He died of cancer and his mother, Joyce Hraban, developed a brain tumor.

"He loves her like a grandmother," said Andy's mom, Dawn Crump.

So far, Andy Crump has bucked up well from the mild harassment of fellow school chums. His flowing locks also have caused few problems on the basketball court.

"I wear a headband or a ponytail," he said.

"He won't let me braid it," his mom said.

Crump tried to encourage his school buddies to join him in his hair quest, but has had no takers.

"One friend was going to, but he was irritated by it," he said.

One who's not irritated is his dad, who's in the military.

"My hair was long before I joined," Dennis Crump said. "As long as he takes care of it and it doesn't get too out of hand."

The young Crump has discovered that his tonsure catches the eyes of the ladies.

"The girls like it," Dawn Crump said.

"We were in Bennington and he had quite a following," his dad said.

Growing hair isn't Crump's only selfless act. Starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, you can find him at the Salina Family YMCA astride a stationary bicycle. He'll be pedaling for donations to the Salina Rescue Mission on behalf of Paul Kinney, a family friend who succumbed to cancer.

"He wanted to help people. I want to continue that," Crump said.

"He'd give you the shirt off his back," said Dawn Crump, who will "ride along" with her son for moral support.

A military veteran, Kenney had a warm heart for the rescue mission, which caters to a number of Vietnam veterans.

"That's one of the places he would help," Andy said.

The donation wish list includes foot powder, cough drops, Ibuprofen, paper towels, toilet paper, work boots (sizes 8Ôªø1âÑ2 to 14), winter coats, thermals, flannel jackets, trash bags, pollow cases, noodles, macaroni and cheese, and travel-sized tooth brushes and paste. More information is available at www.salinarescuemission.com.

"We'll ride until the back of (Dennis's) truck is full or they kick us out," Andy said.

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says....
What an AWESOME story...Way to go Andy....everyone should support you and not make fun of what you are doing you are doing this for a wonderful cause keep it up....wish I was actually in Salina cuz I'd prolly be riding right beside you and your mom.....
1/26/2009

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