For the fifth year in a row, local community activists will be giving out free haircuts and free school supplies at a “Get Smart” event in Harrisburg Saturday.
The event, sponsored by the group Breaking the Chainz, and others, starts at 1 p.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. at the city park at 4th and Emerald streets in Harrisburg.
Attendees can enjoy free food and games at the event, which also serves as a tribute to Julian Mallory, a teen active with Breaking the Chainz as a peacemaker and mentor, who was fatally shot in 2017.
Kevin Dolphin, a founder of the group, said Mallory, 17, used to speak with him at events about the importance of education. Now, Dolphin uses the annual school-supply giveaway event to memorialize Mallory, whose photo appears on the fliers. Dolphin also displays photos of Julian at the park.
“Our goal is to keep his name out there and in the light to inspire other young people,” Dolphin said. “Not only was he big on education. He was big on leadership. He was big on people coming together.”
Julian Mallory's photo is on the left side of the fliers.
Breaking the Chainz also has given two scholarships to seniors in Steelton and Harrisburg in memory of Julian, his mentee.
Saturday’s event will help equip students for the upcoming school year, which starts Monday in Harrisburg.
“We want to make sure kids have what they need for a successful year,” Dolphin said. “This is a new year, with new leadership and that makes it more important that students are prepared.”
Available at the event will be book bags, binders, pencils, pens, markers and other supplies including a “few surprises,” Dolphin said.
Besides the team at Breaking the Chainz, numerous other local groups collaborate for the event, including Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice and the Coalition of 100 Black Women.
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