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Dave Lawrence ran his 11th Fresh Start in downtown Nanaimo on Sunday, Aug. 18, helping get local kids off to the best possible start for the school year. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)
By Alex Rawnsley
best back to school ever

‘The most amount of donations we’ve ever had:’ Nanaimo kids given Fresh Start

Aug 17, 2025 | 12:32 PM

NANAIMO — Eleven years in and a local campaign to get school off on the right foot for local kids is stronger than ever.

The annual Fresh Start was held at the downtown Nanaimo library branch on Sunday, Aug. 17, seeing Dave Lawrence, owner of That 50’s Barbershop, offering free haircuts and back-to-school supplies in exchange for a story read or a picture drawn.

Lawrence said the past 10 years have been an amazing ride, but this year was unlike any other.

“This year was really scary, I honestly thought this might be the last year. We did not have any donations at the beginning, usually i make pleas on social media for people to come and donate and we didn’t get that.”

Well over 100 people were in line early Sunday morning. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)
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Last minute pleas and awareness campaigns helped turn the tide.

Lawrence told NanaimoNewsNOW they were able to bring in considerable amounts of items and money to help purchase everything needed.

Included in the donations are a backpack, lunch kit, clothes, shoes and other back-to-school necessities.

“We have the most amount of donations we’ve ever had, the most amount of money raised, we raised over $13,000 and we were able to buy hundreds of pairs of new shoes and all kinds of things that we were normally not able to do so the kids getting help this year are going to be totally decked out.

A side room at the library held thousands of donations and items ready for their new homes. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Most years, around 300 kids come in for a haircut and receive their items.

Lawrence suspects he could see more this year given increasing financial struggles for many.

He said he’s inspired every year to keep the event going for local kids.

“It holds a special place in my heart. I grew up with a single mom and things were tough…this is my way of giving back. The first year was really touching, we just threw it together and didn’t know what to expect and it was a game changer…we helped out a bunch of kids.”

Lines of people were met by volunteers outside the library branch on Sunday.

Multiple barbers and hair stylists were on hand to offer their skills. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

— with files from Kyle Ireland

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by Alex Rawnsley

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