April’s to offer free haircuts for students
Just in time for the start of a new school year, one island business will help out parents and children with back to school preparations. On Saturday, Aug. 14, April’s Island Salon will offer free hair cuts to island children.
“During these tough times, many families here on the island are struggling to get their children ready for the new school year. It’s tough finding the money to provide the children with new clothes and school supplies let alone hair cuts,” said April Collins. “Many families will benefit with help for clothes from FISH and school supplies collected by the Matlacha Hookers and this is our way to help ease the financial burdens associated with returning to school.”
This one-day event will be offered for Pine Island students only and there are no income restrictions. Two professional hair stylists, Charley Scott and Laurie Collins, will be on hand to provide hair cuts for the children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Free Kids Hair Cut Day at April’s.
“I feel this is one thing I can do to give back to the community who has given so much to me,” Collins said. “I know first hand what it’s like to try to raise a family as a single mom and I really appreciated all of the the help I got from the island organizations like FISH. There are so many people in need this year and I think it is important for the kids to return to school with a new look, a good self image and feeling good about themselves.”
This will be the third event of this kind where the hair stylists at April’s have offered free hair cuts to those who normally cannot afford them.
“During our first two events we catered mainly to adults, but this time is it just about the kids,” Collins said. “We realized how great this need was when we saw the hundreds of people turn out for Free Food Friday and discovered that there are so many people in need.”
Collins is asking that parents please be sure that any child they bring for in during the event has freshly washed hair to save time.
“If we don’t need to wash the children’s hair, typically the cut can be done in 10 to 15 minutes. This will allow the hair stylists to provide as many hair cuts as possible,” Collins said. “During our adult free hair cuts we saw 30 people the first time and then 75 the next time and anticipate a large turnout for this event so it is important that the children come in with clean hair.”
Hair cuts will be provided on a first- come, first-serve basis and while appointments are not necessary, Collins said that those who want to reserve in advance can call ahead. To make an appointment, call 645-5511, leave a message and someone from April’s will return the call to set up an appointment. Those attending the event are asked to park vehicles in the rear parking lot behind the Beacon of HOPE Thrift Store and offices.
Normally the cost of a child’s hair cut at April’s is $10. April’s Island Salon is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on Pine Island Road, just east of the center next to the Beacon of HOPE.