Mohawk dos offered for a cause

Gretchen Weikleenget has a hairraising adventure in store for Spokane on Saturday.

The owner of Gretchen’s Hair Studio is sponsoring Mohawk-a-thon, a fund-raising event for the Crosswalk youth shelter by offering mohawk hair styles for $20 donations.

She started the event a year ago and raised $700 for the nonprofit agency. Her goal this year is 150 hair styles and a $1,000 donation.

“Those kids really need the help. That’s the main thing,” Weikleenget said.

Donors can choose from a mohawk style in which a strip of hair on top of the head is left long, or they can have a “faux-hawk” which mimics a mohawk, but can be more stylish for adults.

“Ladies don’t have to be afraid of a punk rock look,” Weikleenget said. “There are some stylish beautiful things we can do.”

A press release described the faux-hawks as “elaborate, colorful, up-do” styles.

For people who want a more conventional cut, a donation of $10 is being asked.

The event starts at 11 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. at Gretchen’s.

Subway sandwiches will be provided, and the event will have music from KEZE-FM. Hoffman Music, Signs for Success and Carolyn’s Cakes are participating. Carolyn’s Cakes will be selling mohawk cookies.

Festivities will include appearances by roller girls, a raffle for a guitar, ice cream, games for kids, T-shirts and prizes for the best mohawks.

Crosswalk annually serves about 1,000 youth from 13 to 21 by providing food, shelter, family reconciliation services, educational opportunities and self-sufficiency training. In addition, Crosswalk provides access to health care, substance abuse treatment and transitional housing. Its services are free.

Weikleenget said the idea for the event was hers. She pitched it to Crosswalk workers, and they agreed to participate.

Weikleenget opened her studio about 12 years ago just after moving to Spokane. She grew up in St. Maries.

“We’re looking forward to a spectacular event,” she said.