SPRINGFIELD — A team of barbers with clippers in hand were stationed in the gymnasium at Rebecca Johnson School in Springfield Wednesday to give free haircuts to children heading back to school next week.
“Having a fresh haircut for school helps promote the idea that school is cool. Education is what moves our community forward,” said Clarence Smith, owner of the The Final Touch Barber Shop on State Street.
Smith has been offering free haircuts before the school year for the past five years. The Back to School Brighter event has grown to include music, food, a bounce house and backpacks for every child.
“We had to move it from the shop because of growth,” Smith said, noting that his team is now joined by barbers from Tyson’s Cuts, Six Corners Barber and Styling Shop and Fresh Cut Barbershop. “We all understand the importance of offering this to the kids before they start a new school year.”
While the morning event focused mainly on boys, there will be an opportunity for girls to get their hair braided tonight at The Hair Connection, 1142 State St. from 4-8 p.m. during the 4th annual Braids Bash.
“It is on a first-come, first-served basis and we will be there doing braids, but we have two barbers as well doing haircuts,” said Nicole Sanders, owner of the shop.
Sanders said there will be several braid patterns to choose from. For children with very short hair who would like braids, additional hair will be provided free of charge from the beauty supply store next to the shop.
“It’s something we like to offer for the community to get the students ready for a new school year,” she said.
Andrea Walker, of Springfield, brought her son who is heading to fifth grade for a fresh cut Wednesday morning. When she heard about the free braiding she said she was going to share it with her friends on Facebook.
“With purchasing school supplies, school uniforms and everything else they need, having one less expense to worry about is wonderful and parents are grateful for that,” she said.
LaMar Cook, a community leader who helped start the event five years ago, said he can’t believe how much it has grown.
“The support has been overwhelming. We went from just offering haircuts to having pretty much a daylong festival for the kids and their families,” he said.