Maggies Wigs 4 Kids Of Michigan Inc

In 2024, Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan had 117 wig consultations, fittings and self-image service appointments for the children in our program. 246 wig recipients, their parents & siblings participated in support services such as makeup & skin care classes, nail care, themed tea parties in our Enchanted Tea Room, a holiday party and more. We offer onsite and virtual wig consultations via Zoom to measure the children’s heads right from their hospital beds with the assistance of nurse navigators and child life specialists.

The nonprofit has serviced children & families from 55 Michigan counties and continues to work with all 8 hospitals in Michigan that provide pediatric oncology, U of M Burn Center, Phoenix Burn Society, Trichotillomania Learning Center, pediatricians, dermatologists, schools, churches, etc.

In 2024, makeup & skin care classes were provided, which help the children’s self-esteem through a positive self-image. The classes are facilitated throughout the year by Maggie Varney, Founder & CEO and professional makeup artists from Multimedia Makeup Academy.

The VR 4 Kids Program was expanded to support children with alopecia, trichotillomania and other forms of hair loss in 2024 after successfully serving children with cancer in 2023 – the program offers virtual reality headsets to wig recipients for a 30-day period where they can utilize them for pain management, meditation & relaxation, and caring for virtual pets whether in the hospital or at home. The Invincikids VR headsets which are in place at Stanford & Yale pediatric hospitals are also now being utilized at Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan.

A total of 4,432 service hours were contributed by 195 volunteers over the course of 2024 which includes professional & nonprofessional volunteers, Board, Advisory Board, Honorary Board & Youth Board members, Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan employees and Maggie Varney, Founder & CEO to help grow the program.

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan continues to be embraced by the beauty industry: receiving support from 1,250 cosmetology schools, salons and beauty professional volunteers.

The organization was recertified Platinum Level through Guidestar by Candid in 2024. Less than half of one percent of all nonprofits achieve this recognition. They are re-evaluated & honored yearly after meeting standards of financial transparency. In 2024, Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan was re-awarded the 4-star charity honor by Charity Navigator – the highest a nonprofit can receive from this watchdog group for its continued commitment to organizational excellence.

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan continues its advocacy efforts to approach insurance companies about covering the cost of a child’s wig like any other prosthetic. The organization pursues legislative support to get a bill passed to secure necessary funding toward providing wigs to meet the children’s needs. It was fortunate to be awarded a grant from MDHHS (Michigan Department of Health & Human Services) to help provide additional wigs to the children of Michigan.

Hair donations were received by 69 countries around the world in 2024: 11,762 ponytails were given by generous individuals to be made into wigs for the children of Michigan.

Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan provides wigs & support services to children between the ages 3 to 18 at no charge throughout the state of Michigan. Founded in 2003, the organization is now celebrating its 22nd Year of Service and has helped over 5,600 children in need!

Maggies Wigs 4 Kids Of Michigan Inc is a Charity participating in the NASCAR Day Giveathon 2025 a Giving Day event, presented by The NASCAR Foundation.