Dave Lawrence of That 50's Barbershop is again collecting backpacks, school supplies, clothes and other items to hand out to in-need kids before they go back to school. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

1000 kids and counting

Nanaimo barber back offering ‘Fresh Start’ for back-to-school kids

Jul 31, 2022 | 5:51 AM

NANAIMO — A popular back-to-school program is back for an eighth year and set for a major milestone.

Fresh Start will hand out its 1000th free haircut and backpack filled with school supplies during its 2022 cycle, culminating with an event at the Vancouver Island Regional Library in downtown Nanaimo on Sunday, Sept. 4.

Dave Lawrence, owner of That 50’s Barbershop and lead for the program, told NanaimoNewsNOW he’s in full donation collection mode at the moment, to give as many kids as possible a kickstart for the new school year.

“We collect school supplies, backpacks, clothes, books, boots, winter coats and then the weekend before school starts we do it where kids can come in, read us a story or draw us a picture and they get a free back to school haircut and a backpack filled up with those supplies.”

So far, things are slow going with just one backpack donated to date however there is still time.

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People can donate new items to the barbershop on Victoria Cres., or call (778) 441-1985 to arrange alternate drop-off or pickup.

Lawrence said the event has grown over the last eight years, with several kids coming back again and again, giving Lawrence and his team, including fellow stylist Karly Menzies, a chance to see them grow.

“They’re so thankful, so grateful we’re doing this. Some of them, they never really get haircuts from a barber or fancy salon and (Karly) always gives them hairbrushes and combs and talks to them about taking care of their hair, some of the girls are so thankful for that.”

Cash donations are also welcomed, which will allow Lawrence to go shopping a few days prior to the event and top up the donated inventory.

He said there are a lot of kids needing help in Nanaimo.

“I see it as one of those invisible things. You can see homelessness, you can see drug addiction, you can see all that stuff and say ‘wow, we have a problem in this town’, but child poverty is something you don’t see.”

More information on this year’s event, as well as needed donations, is available on their Facebook page.

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley