Article by Charlie Breitrose: Watertown MA  News

http://www.watertownmanews.com/2015/10/15/watertown-firefighter-marks-contract-signing-with-unusual-donation/

A Watertown firefighter decided to celebrate the signing of the Watertown Fire contract after more than 6.5 years without one by making a special donation to help a cancer patient.

Fellow firefighters noticed that Guillermo “Willie” Gaitan, a 30-year veteran of the WFD, had hair long enough for a ponytail. Willie half-jokingly said that he was not going to cut it until they had a contract, according to another firefighter. That was almost 3 years ago.

Last week, upon the yes vote on the contract for Watertown Firefighters Local 1347, Firefighter Gaitan headed to the barber shop.

When asked about his decision Willie replied, “I saw an opportunity to help others, and that’s what we do.”

His hair created a 15-inch braid, which has been donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which partners with the American Cancer Society to donate ponytails and funds the crafting of wigs for cancer patients.

To date, Beautiful Lengths has donated over 42,000 wigs free of charge to those in need.

For those interested in the donating or getting involved go to http://pantene.com/en-us/brandexperience/about-the-program