Local non-profit helps kids get ready for new school year in Johnstown

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Making a list and checking it twice is exactly what parents are doing before their kids return to school.

Project Kind Cut , a non-profit organization that provides free haircuts and free clothing to those in need, are helping parents check one more thing off their list.

On Sunday, the non-profit partnered with the Cambria County Backpack Project and L&D Academy to host a free back-to-school haircut event.

“We are providing free haircuts, free book bags and free meals to kids in need in the greater Johnstown area. Our mission is to empower individuals in need and just encourage a community where everybody comes together and feels welcomed as well as accepted,” Logan Boyd, Founder and President of Project Kind Cut said.

Kids like Cameron Hanlin said he felt ‘good’ after his haircut.

The Cosmetology Director of L&D Academy said that the haircuts at the school leave more than just the kids happy.

“I love giving haircuts. I love everything about hair in the hair industry, the smile on the kids faces and how they feel, how the confidence that they feel. We absolutely love it,” Lavona Smith said.

With the rising costs of everyday items, Project Kind Cut believes that a haircut should be one of the things that parents don’t have to worry about.

“Oh it’s amazing. I think it’s good for them and it’s, you know, good for a lot of the kids that, you know, are less fortunate, you know, to get set up for school, to have a nice haircut for their school pictures. I think it’s good,” said Therese Shaffer, a parent who brought her son for a haircut.

The Cambria County Backpack Project said they never want to turn a child away, and provided children with a free apple at the event. They also encouraged parents to sign up for the program that feeds children on the weekends.

“This is a great tool for us to bring awareness to the Backpack Project, have families sign up for the program, recruit volunteers, and just share the need and let families know that we’re here to help serve them,” Kristen Villarrial, Executive Director of the backpack project said.

The food was also free for children. It was catered by SmokeDD Out BBQ , and the owner said doing something like this means a lot to him.

“There was some inspirations that came into my life that got me into cooking and led me to where I was. I figured giving back not just to put some food in their stomachs, but to be an example and possibly an inspiration to some of these kids,” Daniel Dougherty said.

The non-profit estimates that they were able to help a little over 50 local kids.

“I think it’s a really cool thing. What we’re doing here. We’re not just giving away haircuts. We’re giving them some self-worth and confidence as they head into the new school year. And just a really cool thing that I’m happy we’re able to do,” Boyd said.

By the end of the year, Project Kind Cut aims to provide an additional 225 complimentary haircuts, continuing its mission to deliver essential services and support to those seeking assistance.

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If you want to get involved with the non-profit, you can call (814)-421-7927 or message them on their Facebook page.

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