The Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" is dotty. That's one thing Paula Miller has in common with Lewis Carroll's character - she's crazy about hats and wigs, and her hopped-up enthusiasm is for a good cause.

Miller's Mad Hatters Hat & Wig Donation Project kicks off at noon on Saturday, Oct. 18. It is a wig and hat donation and collection event to support women and children who have lost their hair because of cancer treatments.

"Hair loss is paramount to self-esteem during cancer treatment," Miller said. "These hats will add class, color and beauty to those who can use a lift in body and spirit."

The project coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has special meaning for Miller.

"Peggi Roskens, my sister, passed away 10 years ago from breast cancer, and she just always wore fabulous hats," Miller said. "She didn't wear a wig, just had a fabulous array of hats and looked terrific."

Roskens finished 6th in 1997 at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - during her second round of chemotherapy treatment. "And she got up on the stage and took off her hat and had this beautiful bald head," Miller said.

Roskens's undaunted spirit inspired Miller. In 2000, Miller launched the hat and wig donation and that year garnered about 400 hats.

"Last year I had just over 3,000 hats," Miller said, noting the event's growth. The event also gathered about 100 wigs and hundreds of scarves.

"This year, my goal is 4,000 hats and 150 wigs," Miller said. She said wigs are harder to come by than hats.

"Very few people have wigs in their closets," Miller explained. "They cost more, and that's why it's so important to get those donations."

Miller said she takes "any and everything." Wild and crazy hats are good "because children going through treatment like crazy hats and silly snowboard hats. It draws attention to their head, not the sickness."

For older women, "the big, big thing is wigs. It's hard to keep your identity, your spirits up when your hair is falling out with the fluff of the wind," Miller said.

Nearly every hat that comes in comes with its own story, Miller said. Some people bring theirs in after undergoing successful chemo treatment and they don't need them anymore.

One woman in Florida heard about the project through her son who lives in Boise, Miller said. "She and her friends got together and started knitting hats." So far, they've donated more than 40.

Another Floridian also heard of the project. "She went on eBay and bought 70 wigs and sent them to me."

Miller said the annual hat and wig collection makes her feel like she's doing something to help people going through treatment, like her sister, who passed away in June 1998, just months after her Susan G. Komen race.

"It's wonderful, it really is. It just makes me smile knowing that I'm helping other people."

Some of the stories that come along with the donations don't have a happy ending.

"I had a lady come in with a beautiful wig. Her daughter had just passed away and it was hard for her (to give her wig away) but she wanted somebody else to have it, to help somebody else feel good when they feel bad," Miller said. "So, there's lots of hugs and tears that go along with the hats and wigs."

Jeanne Huff: 377-6483