Dozens of Dallas elementary schoolers are sporting a fresh new look this Christmas thanks to a community-led initiative to give out free haircuts and presents.
Spearheaded by Pastor Kendrick Holiday of Pivot Church, the very first “Cuts for Christmas” event was held at Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School on December 18. Approximately 50 students were able to get free haircuts from professional barbers, as well as a wrapped present, ahead of the holiday break.
“I feel like my purpose is to make kids and people feel good about themselves,” explained Suavé Washington, a licensed barber who volunteered during the event, according to NBC 5 DFW. “I feel like if you had a bad day, get your hair cut or hair done. Anything like that, it just makes you feel good, like you can conquer the world today because you did that.”
Holiday noted that this confidence boost can go a long way in affecting young boys.
“It’s about their mindset,” he told NBC. “It’s just the euphoria that hits you and says, ‘Hey, if I feel good about myself, I can do good on a test, I can do good on my homework, I may even listen to the teacher today since I look so good.'”
The students agreed, with 5th grader Lewis Fleming remarking that his new haircut was a vast improvement from the last one he got.
“It made me feel excited, and then I started feeling happy I was here,” he said.
This sentiment was echoed by 4th grader Andy Urdiero.
“It makes me feel very special getting a different cut,” he said.
Dallas police officers also lent a hand during the event, adding to a growing list of volunteer initiatives they participated in this holiday season. As covered in The Dallas Express earlier this month, 135 kids were paired with a Dallas police officer or firefighter and went shopping with a $100 gift card at Target as part of the “Heroes and Helpers” program. Both Target and the nonprofit Safer Dallas Better Dallas funded the event.
