Helping Hand

Local stylists trim hair, lift spirits of those in need

Sporadic heavy rain didn’t dampen the good feelings at the second annual Haircuts for the Homeless Monday in Pocket Park in downtown Texarkana. About 50 free haircuts were given.

Attendees also received hygiene kits, a hot lunch, bags of food and free clothing if they needed it.

“It’s important to me because it’s kind of the only way we can use our talents to give back to the community,” said Sarah Jarvis, a stylist at The Style Studio and event organizer.

“I’ve always had a heart for the homeless. … This event was a lot of fun. The rain didn’t really stop anything. Everybody was having a good time and people were still coming in, even when it was raining.”

Seventeen stylists cut hair under tents as the rain fell and the Moss Brothers provided musical entertainment.

“This is providing a lot of happiness. Everybody is having a good time,” Jarvis said. “I’m hoping this will motivate people to get off the streets and get ready for job interviews. Hopefully it will boost their spirits.”

Donna Whitehead passed out bags of food to people. The food was provided by local race car drivers.

“They donated enough food for us to give away 150 bags,” Whitehead said. “These people are smiling.

They’re glad to get it. If we know they have something to eat the next day, what an awesome blessing for us. We’re all fortunate to have homes and be able to race. This is just a little thing we could do to give back.”

Mark Murray was a recipient of a haircut and shave at the event. He was thankful for the generosity of all those who participated. “It’s wonderful,” he said. Those who came to Haircuts for the Homeless were treated to lunches of barbecue sandwiches, cole slaw and potato salad.

Sydney Cherry, a server at Silver Star Steakhouse, was happy to donate her time to help.

“I think this is awesome. It’s nice to be able to give back to the community those things we take for granted,” Cherry said.

Organizers, who plan to have the event again next year, said they were grateful to all the individuals and businesses that helped make it a success.

“We definitely want to thank everyone that came out and helped. We couldn’t have done it without them. … They definitely earned some feathers in their halo,” Jarvis said.

Staff photo by Evan Lewis Delaney Mercer is all smiles Monday morning as she gets her hair cut in the Pocket Park downtown. Mercer and others were receiving hair cuts through Haircuts for the Homeless. This is the second year the cosmetologists from Style Studio organized the event. The community outreach program is the brainchild of Sarah Jarvis. Jarvis said she grew up volunteering at the Friendship Center with her mother, and those experiences are why she wanted to organize the event. The clients also received lunch and other supplies.