50 haircuts, 50 states, 50 days

Kansas stylist Patrick Lomantini lost his wallet, but he has managed to keep his drive to set a Guinness World Record while raising money for animals in need.  Lomantini visited Made Ya Look Salon on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach Aug. 9 for a 12-hour day of free haircuts.

Lomantini set out Aug. 1 to set a world record by traveling to 50 states in 50 days and performing 50 haircuts in each state.  The cuts are free, but a minimum $20 donation is requested to benefit local animal shelters, rescues and humane societies.  All donations from his stop in Rehoboth Beach will be given to Delaware Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Lomantini understands the idea of paying it forward.  He said for the first leg of his tour he is traveling alone through New England and the Mid-Atlantic, and while he was at a rest stop in New York, he lost his wallet.  "I had no cash; nothing," he said.

Lomantini said he called a friend, who wired him some money, but he has largely been relying on people's kindness to see his trip through to the end.  "Everybody's been really kind in helping me get around," he said – with the exception of a few nights spent sleeping in his car.  "It's insane, but it's so unique and so special," Lomantini said.

On Aug. 22, 2010, Lomantini set a Guinness World Record for cutting hair continuously for 72 hours.  He gave 227 haircuts.  "It got such a great response," he said.  The cuts were free, and Lomantini donated $1,600 in tips to Kansas Humane Society.

He said he plans to finish the tour in the same place he set his 2010 Guinness Record, his own salon, Lomantini the Salon, in Wichita, Kan., Sept. 19.  To track Lomantini, visit thesalon1 on twitter.com.

Delaware SPCA will hold its third annual Run for the Paws benefit at 8 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 20, on Dagsworthy Avenue in Dewey Beach.  For more information, go to delspca.org.