You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.

County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi launches haircut campaign for homeless relief

By Amy Biolchini

Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, will be launching his campaign Monday to collect donations for area organizations that help the homeless in exchange for shearing off his hair, according to a Friday announcement from the county.

Rabhi, 24, announced at a Nov. 7 meeting of the Board of Commissioners his intent to cut his 28-inch-long mane of hair as a fundraising effort. Rabhi hasn’t had a haircut since 2005.

Yousef_Rabhi_Jan_2011.jpg

Yousef Rabhi

In a partnership with the United Way of Washtenaw County, donations will be accepted online and through mailed contributions to United Way of Washtenaw County at 2305 Platt Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Checks should be made out to “Yousef’s Haircut.” Rabhi plans to cut his hair in 2013 and donate it to Children With Hair Loss, a non-profit agency based in Michigan that provides free hairpieces to disadvantaged children.

The money raised by Rabhi’s campaign will be donated to the Safe House Shelter, the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and the Alpha House run by the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

The campaign ends Dec. 21.

About 42,000 Washtenaw County residents are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.

Comments

BobbyJohn

Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.

Please, I want my politicians working on all the issues that need attention, not drawing attention to themselves with this circus.

Dog Guy

Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 5:19 a.m.

A politician hard at work.

UlyssesWrong1

Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 2:02 a.m.

Yousef! Love that guy, cool idea.

newsboy

Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.

It would have raised much more money holding some kind of a bidding process. Those whom want you to keep your hair, and those who don't. Kind of a John Lennon vs. Flat Top! Lets face the facts; there will be a lot of tangles and hair splitting between these commissioners in the next few years.

quetzalcoatl

Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.

A very nice, touching gesture. But the true sacrifice here will be the barber's.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 6:17 p.m.

lets just start with all the men who have long hair and beards. close cropped hair on a man is more attractive, so is bald. So is no mustache, stubble or beard.

Jeff Gaynor

Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 12:20 a.m.

@DBH: Well said (even if I had to look up what it meant).

DBH

Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 7:12 p.m.

De gustibus non est disputandum.