Salon clips for a cause

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

The idea to give free haircuts to needy children started when the The S.T.U.F.F. Bus visited the Flagler Beach Yacht Club. From there, it was a chain reaction.

Club member Nick Bereda told Sophisticated Hair Studio stylist Olga Soltero, who called an organizer with the bus, who got in touch with Katrina Townsend, director of student services for Flagler School, who identified homeless and needy families in the county who would benefit from the service.

Fifty-one students received the donation of a free haircut Sunday, Aug. 21, at the salon.

“If you can make a child smile, that’s more beneficial than the $10 to $15 you can make on a haircut,” Soltero said.

But the salon was not the only business that donated to this cause. Additional donations of money, food, clothing, or school supplies were made by Walmart; Winn Dixie; Attorney Steven Delaroche; Attorney John Murray; Jean Young; Sandra Cruz; Jean Slaga, of Apature Products Inc.; Judy Evans; Louis Mortelo; The Rev. Marcos Martines, of Iglesia de Dios Casa de Alabanza; Susan Bereda; Wells Fargo Bank; Bealls; Harris Groceries; Rey Vazques; Energizer Personal Care; Marlyn Tangney; Alterations Unlimited; Dollar Discount; The Latin Market; Flagler Beach Yacht Club; and Aden Coniskey.

“For the first one, we were really pleased at how the community has gathered around the cause,” Bereda said.

Soltero and salon owner Esperanza Costa said they hope to hold a similar event again during the school year.

“Next time, somehow we will have to have pickups,” Soltero said. “We understand that transportation is a problem.”