A table full of school supplies ready to be handed out during last years' Fresh Start event. This years event takes place on Sunday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Country Club Centre. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

Fresh Start

Free ‘Fresh Start’ haircuts and school supplies at Nanaimo’s Country Club Centre

Aug 25, 2024 | 5:54 AM

NANAIMO — Students looking for a fresh and free new look for the upcoming school year don’t need to leave the Harbour City to find it.

The annual “Fresh Start” campaign provides free haircuts and backpacks full of school supplies and clothing to local youth in need, with the event happening Sunday, Aug 25 at Country Club Centre starting at 11 a.m.

Organizer Dave Lawrence of That 50’s Barbershop said he’s excited to hold the tenth edition of the event at Country Club Centre for the first time, a larger space than their previous spot at the Harbourfront branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library.

“I think six or seven barbers and stylists this year so that’s great, that will make the lines go way faster… Lisa Marie-Barron, our NDP representative, she’s going to come and read some stories to the kids, and Amy Pye who wrote a bunch of kids’ books locally in town here, she’s going to come read her books to the kids.”

All kids need to do is present a drawing or read a story to get the supplies.

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Lawrence said a local landscaper will also be on hand to conduct a plant project for the kids.

Speaking to NanaimoNewsNOW on Thursday, Aug 22, Lawrence said he had already collected around 300 backpacks, and he was heading to the store that evening to purchase more supplies using donated funds.

“The thing that we’ve been lacking is definitely kids’ clothing and used books…go through your kids’ clothes and if they outgrow clothes, just bring them down. Gently used is fine, that would be great.”

More information on Fresh Start can be found here on their Facebook page.

Some of the school supplies collected at That 50’s Barbershop for Fresh Start. (Fresh Start: Back to School on Facebook)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow