Every year, Vanguard Benefits sponsors the LI Imagine Awards, “Rising Star Award.” This year’s winner is Hair We Share, a Long Island based company, with over 50 years of experience as a second generation, family-owned wig design business. “We are thrilled to sponsor this award and all of the finalists in this category exhibited outstanding records of achievement as non-profits,” explained Ed Probst, President of Vanguard Benefits.

Co-founders Dean Riskin and Suzanne Chimera combine to offer decades of experience in the hair transplant and cosmetology industries. “We provide customized, human hair wigs free of charge to anyone whose financial means doesn’t allow them to purchase one,” said Dean Riskin.

“We started with one teenage girl named Brooke who was severely depressed because of her hair loss. Brooke’s mom called us after Brooke’s face lit up for the first time in years, upon seeing a wig we designed on 20/20. We knew the cost of the wig would be a burden on Brooke’s young family, so we put a post on Facebook asking people to send us their hair and decrease the cost of the wig,” said owner Dean Riskin. He continued, “Within one week of the post 42 people chopped off their hair and sent it to us. As people sent their hair, we found we had created a sense of community for the hair donors and for Brooke. We created our Ponytail Tracking program to help cover our expenses and keep this community growing.”

For additional information about HAIR WE SHARE or to donate, visit their website Donate Money to Hair We Share | Hair We Share | Making A Positive Difference.