The tenth annual 'Fresh Start' event is collecting donations of school supplies right now, with the free haircut and handout day on Sunday, Aug 25 at Country Club Centre, put on by Barber Dave from That 50's Barbershop along with his assistant Peanut Butter. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

a fresh start

‘Kids need help:’ That 50’s Barbershop holding annual school supply fundraiser in Nanaimo

Aug 9, 2024 | 5:23 AM

NANAIMO — As summer break rolls on for students, parents are likely already preparing for the return to the classroom, and a local barber once again has your back.

“Fresh Start” is in its tenth year of collecting school supplies for kids, along with getting a fresh, back-to-school haircut, all for the low price of a story or drawing a picture.

Owner of That 50’s Barbershop Dave Lawrence is the mastermind behind this popular event and said child poverty is not always obvious.

“I remember the first couple of years I did this, people questioned it. ‘There’s no poor kids in Nanaimo!’ but it’s because they didn’t see it, but there is. You talk to teachers, and you talk to principals and they go, ‘It’s so good what you’re doing because we definitely need this, kids need help.'”

The big day is Sunday, Aug. 25 at Country Club Centre from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., where kids can line up for a backpack full of supplies and a fresh new do.

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Donations of backpacks, school supplies, books and clothing, can be dropped off at That 50’s Barber Shop on Victoria Cres., Curious Comics inside Country Club Centre, or at participating Starbucks locations around Nanaimo.

Gently used backpacks or clothing will also be accepted.

People waited in line since 9 a.m. to be one of the first in the chair at 10 a.m. during the 2023 ‘Fresh Start’ event.. Others arriving later waited upwards of four hours, something Lawrence hopes to change this year. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Lawrence said they’ve helped well over 1,000 kids in the past decade, with an average of 300 per event.

This year he has at least 15 fellow hair cutters by his side to help speed up the process.

“Barbers, hairstylists, all kinds of people and it’s going to make things go a lot faster. If you’ve been to ‘Fresh Start’ before you know that it is a long line-up and it takes a long time to get through to everyone, but with this I feel it’s going to go way faster, way smoother, way better.”

Lawrence said he was inspired to start ‘Fresh Start’ after reading a story about another barber who would give free haircuts to kids who would read him a story.

“One of my customers was volunteering at the 7-10 Club where you can get a free breakfast and free lunch, and he said ‘Dave it’s not just homeless people who come here, it’s families, it’s kids.’ People don’t realize the level of child poverty on the Island, which is very substantial.”

More information can be found on That 50’s Barber’s Facebook page.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow