Getting a haircut isn't typically emotional, but it certainly was on Sunday in Papillion.

"Um, (laughing) they're happy tears," Mary Jorgensen said. Her tears were for her son Cooper. "My son does not like haircuts."

Usually it's Cooper who's the one crying. "It usually takes three, the hairdresser, another family member and myself," Jorgensen said. "Someone who is holding his legs. Someone who is holding his arms and then the hairdresser does her best."

However, on Sunday, Cooper surprised his mom. "They are aware that this is a place they feel comfortable in," Candice Mullendore said. Mullendore is with the Pediatric Therapy Center. "We offer physical, occupational and speech therapy for kids with special needs."

The center provided Cooper and dozens of other special needs children with free haircuts. Because of volunteers like Jill Carson and organizers like Mullendore, what was once unimaginable became reality. "The parents see how calm their children can be and how they sat through an entire haircut," Carson said.

"He just did amazing," Jorgensen said. "He sat there like a big kid in a chair. He's never done that before, ever."

Organizers said the event was so successful, they hope the media coverage gets the word out to other local hairstylists. "We would love it if we could do this three times a year," Mullendore said. "I think the hardest part for this is getting volunteers."

Mullendore hopes the event is a gift that they don't have to wait another four years to give. For more information on how to get involved, call 402-932-2PTC (2782).