DANVILLE — More than 200 kids walked away with free haircuts to start the school year off sharp at the Boys and Girls Club on Saturday.
“When we went to open the doors… there were 75 people lined up,” said organizer and founder of DK2, Darrin Hightower.
Hightower, who has organized and led the free haircut event teaming up with Dazeys Hair Lab for the past 6 years, says the event was once again a success.
“I am riding the high of the event,” Hightower said. “It was an overwhelming response. We cut over 215 heads, and we serviced over 300 people.”
Jacob Dazey, owner of the salon, says he has helped out for the past 6 years.
There were also chances for students to obtain physicals, get registered if they had not yet, as well as loads of food available from snow cones to pizza, and inflatables for kiddos to run off their energy. The entire event was free.
“We ordered 50 pizzas. We were completely out of pizzas. We had 100 hot dogs. We ran out of those,” Hightower said. “I mean, we ran out of all of our refreshments. We gave out over 100 bags of back-to-school supplies. I had a hair braid lady there — she did over 40 braids.”
And while outside it was pouring down rain, the gym was packed full of kids and their families. Many children exclaimed they were soaked, but they still were seemingly having fun.
And the event received recognition from State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville).
“We were presented — DK2 was presented with the biggest back-to-school haircut event in Vermillion County,” Hightower said. Schweizer even joined in.
The haircuts were provided by stylists from Dazeys Hair Lab like Yolanda Shaw, who gave a cut to quite a few students. She kept her lines very straight despite a noisy gym with rain pouring down outside.
“These guys are getting like … they’re handing out like $40 and $50 haircuts,” Hightower said. “Like this stuff is looking like TV.”
Many local organizations and businesses helped put on the event. Hightower said DJ Aaron provided the tunes, organizations like Winning Women and the Danville Public Library partnered with DK2 and OSF HealthCare Mobile was on site to help with school physicals. Staff from District 118 were also present to help with school registration.
Hightower says his next event with DK2 will likely take place in October. The event will be a diaper drive of sorts. They have formed a partnership with the Carle Hospital Foundation and will have a room filled with formula, diapers, postpartum kits, and more for those in need.
Hightower’s daughters — Auroa and Penelope Hightower both helped during the event.
“I’m just so very proud of them…just both of my girls just being so selfless and participating and just helping and understanding that there’s a bigger picture here,” said Hightower, whose wife, Katherine, has also been instrumental. “It was definitely fulfilling…we’re just blessed and humble to be able to, you know, do this for the community.”
“This is like the only — some of these kids, the only haircut they’ve had all summer,” Hightower added.
There will be another free haircut event with other local organizations in Rantoul this coming weekend.