Free Kutz 4 Kidz haircuts draw hundreds to downtown San Jose
SAN JOSE — The Kutz4Kidz free haircuts event in downtown San Jose, which drew hundreds on Sunday, was organized with a sports motto in mind that was made famous by Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice: Look good, feel good, play good.
“The idea is to help kids with their self-esteem,” said Dave Diggs, owner of The Barbers Inc. Barbershop on East Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose. “With school starting, the idea is that if you look good, you’ll feel better about yourself, and you’ll do better in school.”
It was the 6th annual Kutz4Kidz free haircut day hosted by Barbers Inc. Barbershop. The biggest crowd for the free haircuts in the past was 150. Sunday’s event attracted well over 400 people, Diggs estimated. At least 380 people pre-registered for the event, and dozens more arrived early as walk-ins.
“It’s overwhelming and awesome at the same time,” Diggs said, reacting to the throngs of parents and children.
The free haircuts, which were accompanied by free backpacks filled with an array of school supplies, also seemed to be a reminder of the challenges that more than a few Bay Area residents face amid an economic boom that has driven wages — and home prices — skyward.
“It’s unaffordable to live in the Bay Area and this is a great way to give back to the community,” said Nicole Barber, a San Jose resident and single mother of three who obtained free haircuts for her trio of children. One of her kids, Tre’von, a second grader, said he liked getting a haircut even if the trim was a reminder of being back in school.
Diggs pointed out that with his regular fee of $30 for a child’s haircut, parents could easily save, including the value of the backpack and school supplies, $100 or more with the …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Business
