Hairstylists Cut Around the Clock for AIDS Project

Steve Hanna’s heart was beating fast. Beads of sweat formed on his furrowed brow as he kept up the speed of an old pro.

And he doesn’t expect to finish working until 10 a.m. today.

While 20,000 runners laced up their sneakers and pounded the pavement through Los Angeles on Sunday, Hanna put himself through another sort of endurance test.

Hanna and 35 other hairstylists voluntarily cut, colored and curled as part of a 24-hour Hair-A-Thon on Sunday at Signature A Salon in Encino. Proceeds from the event, expected to raise $10,000, will go to AIDS Project Los Angeles in Hollywood.

“I figured if the runners have that kind of endurance for 26 miles, then I can work 24 hours,” Hanna said. “Besides, I’m tired of saving the whales. This is a very worthy project.”

For Mark Meltzer, a part-owner of the salon, this first-time event had a more personal meaning. His father, Murray Meltzer, also a hairstylist, died last July at age 54 after a 15-year battle with AIDS.

“I wanted to do something in his memory and to give back to the community,” said Meltzer, 35. “I hope this event brings awareness to the fact that AIDS is still a big problem.”

According to statistics from AIDS Project Los Angeles, 14,353 people were living with AIDS last year in Los Angeles County, about 20% of whom live in the Valley. It’s estimated that as many as 45,000 are living with HIV in the county, said Nicole Russo-Okamoto, an Aids Project spokeswoman. More than 1,600 of the organization’s 8,000 clients are from the Valley.

Those seeking a bargain found it at the haircutting event as all coifs were discounted for the fund-raiser. Color treatments were half-price and $40 haircuts were reduced to $15.

Hair product distributor Schwarzkopf Professional in Culver City donated $7,000 worth of hair dye and gift bags filled with shampoo, conditioner and other products. Meltzer said he expected a total of 600 people to visit the salon by this morning.

“I’ve never heard of a fund-raiser that helps people look good,” said Jeanerette Maberry of Valley Village, who came to add copper and violet highlights to her dark brown hair. “Even though I’m pampering myself, my mind is on the people who have this horrible virus. It’s gone on too long.”