Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan will host two ribbon-cutting ceremonies in the coming weeks to celebrate the opening of the organization’s permanent bricks-and-mortar location in St. Clair Shores.

The Wellness Center at 30130 Harper Avenue, north of 12 Mile Road, next to the nonprofit’s former location in the Lakeshore Plaza strip mall, opened in June.

Founder and CEO Maggie Varney says the new facility will serve as the “forever home” for the programs and services offered by Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan.

“The ribbon cuttings also help us acknowledge the leadership of our Board of Directors and civic servants who have helped make this dream become a reality as we continue to serve the children of Michigan,“ she said in a news release.

The first ribbon-cutting event will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday and a second will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 with civic dignitaries. A white dove release will be part of both occasions.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the events are not open to the public. Social distancing protocol and government guidelines for small gatherings will be observed.

With 4,600 square feet, the new Wellness Center allows the nonprofit to double the amount of children it currently serves and expand its programming to include:

• Nutrition, health & wellness, cooking classes

• A children’s fitness center

• Body, oncology and chair massage

• Nail services (manicures/pedicures)

• Facials and skin care services to help children with changes during treatment

• Enchanted tea room where the kids can enjoy treats. In the evenings, the tea room will be reserved for end of chemo parties and life celebrations for the kids

• Full-service, environmentally-friendly salon.

The nail services and body oncology and chair massage are now open to the public. 

Varney — a licensed cosmetologist — incorporated the business in 2003, providing wigs to children ages 3 to 18 experiencing hair loss due to illness and treatment. It has since expanded into a wellness center and counseling services.

The nonprofit provides the custom-made wigs to children for free.

According to its website, the organization works to service children experiencing hairloss due to cancer, alopecia, trichotillomania, lupus, hydrocephalus, burns, skin disorders, dog bites, autism, down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

The goal is to help the child or teenager to feel more comfortable and confident, the website states.

Other medical and educational support services are also offered at no cost to families as the services are funded solely through contributions made by individuals, companies and organizations.

To schedule a tour of the center for more information, call 586-772-6656 or visit wigs4kids.org.

— Macomb Daily staff