‘Smiling, happy kids:’ Fresh Start helping Nanaimo students get back to class

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Donated backpacks filled with school supplies and the free haircuts will take place on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the downtown Nanaimo library branch and Diana Krall Plaza, located at 90 Commercial St. in Nanaimo.

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'Smiling, happy kids:' Fresh Start helping Nanaimo students get back to class

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Volunteers are still needed for the event, including barbers to help cut hair, along with general support to help the event run smoothly. (Image Credit: Fresh Start)

Backpacks, school supplies, books, and gently used clothing can be donated, as well as monetary donations, which will be used to purchase supplies that directly help local children.

Lawrence said he needs around 20-30 volunteers to help make the event a success, including some entertainment while the kids wait in line, such as cosplayers, magicians, or any act designed to make kids smile.

He said while professional barbers and hairstylists are needed to cut the kids’ hair as it can be a bit like “trying to get a moving target”, general volunteers are needed to help move the event along.

“The day of, wrangling all those people and families and kids and doing all that-it’s a lot. Takes a lot of people, and even just moving things around, moving all the backpacks and school supplies from our storage unit down to the library, it becomes a whole thing.”

Fresh Start has become so big, Lawrence keeps an off-site storage facility to collect donations year-round, which are moved to the downtown Nanaimo library branch the day of the event. (Image Credit: File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Over $13,000 was raised during last year’s Fresh Start event.

Lawrence was also honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal last year, issued to Canadians who make significant contributions to society.

“It’s a marathon, and it’s tough, but at the same time, seeing all those smiling, happy kids is pretty amazing.”

More information can be found on the Fresh Start: Back to School Facebook page, or by emailing Lawrence at thatbarber@gmail.com.

Around 300 people attended last year’s Fresh Start event at Diana Krall Plaza. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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