Marble Hill shops offer free back-to-school haircuts through August

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MARBLE HILL, Mo. (KBSI) — Two Bollinger County hair shops are helping families take one expense off their back-to-school lists by offering free haircuts to local children throughout August.

The effort, now in its second year, provides free haircuts for boys and girls through Aug. 31. Organizers say the goal is to ease some of the financial pressure families face while preparing children for a new school year.

Harrison Killion, owner of Hairitage Barber Shop, said the effort began for him when Janet Huff of CATT Co. approached him and Laura Davis, a stylist at The Looking Glass Salon, about providing free haircuts to children in the community.

“As a barber, it makes me feel great because, you know, we’re living in a time right now where the economy’s not really good,” Killion said. “Ordinary families are struggling, and it just feels great to get to help my community.”

Killion is providing free haircuts for boys, while Davis is providing cuts for girls.

“It means a lot to me. It really does,” Davis said. “You know, it’s a blessing to be able to provide this for them. And God’s opened a door and made a way for it to happen. So, I’m very thankful and I’m glad that the community is getting blessed.”

Janet Huff, the event sponsor, helped organize the effort. Huff said her experience as a foster parent helped her understand how quickly expenses can add up for families.

“Well, we’ve been foster parents for 30 years,” Huff said. “The expense is ungodly. And anything that we can do that gives a little bit of relief to kids, you know, and to parents, especially working parents, you know, that they have so many other expenses going on right now with prices and everything.”

She said the experience gives children an opportunity to begin the school year with more than just a new haircut.

“A lot of the kids that have come in and getting haircuts, they’ve never had a haircut professionally,” Huff said. “So to me that is very thrilling. And I just love it. I just absolutely love it. The fact that these kids get an opportunity to not only start a new school year, but, you know, a whole new look and outlook for this year,” Huff said.

For Killion and Davis, the message they hope the community takes away from the effort is the same: pay it forward when possible.

“Pay it forward. Definitely pay it forward,” Davis said. “If you see a need, fill it.”

“If you’re able to give some or give something to somebody or pay something forward, it’s worth it,” Killion said. “And, it’s an honor to get to do this, really.”

The free haircuts will continue through Aug. 31.

To find more information visit: Laura Davis-Stylist or Hairitage Barber Shop.