Kids & Family
Football Mom Keeps Promise to Donate Hair
Patricia Florek stuck to her word that she would donate 15 inches of her hair, if her son's flag football team won its championship game. They lost—but she still followed through.
One mom's seven-year journey with the Oak Forest Park District Flag Football Buccaneers team ended Sunday. And she marked the occasion with a big change.
Oak Forest resident Patricia Florek vowed to cut off and donate 15 inches of her hair to Locks of Love, if the Buccaneers beat the Redskins in the championship game Sunday.
The Bucs lost, but Florek stuck to her promise anyway, and went under the scissors Monday night.
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It wasn't as emotional an experience as she expected.
"No tears," she said. "I felt good."
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Florek has spent seven years as a Buc mom, starting with her daughter as a cheerleader, through her son's four years on the team.
The gesture marks the end of an era for Florek and the other team moms. Their sons will move on to the senior division of the program next year, and the mothers will miss the camaraderie and family feel of the Bucs.
Generosity was in the air Sunday during the championship at Jesk Park. Both teams vying for the title collected canned goods for donation to the St. Damian Food Pantry.
"What I love about the program, is the coach (Kevin Carney) takes the time out to appreciate each kid, to sit back and reflect on each of the kids," Florek said. "That's what I love about Oak Forest."
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