Local Salon Helps Kids Give To Kids

The Hair Cuttery is hoping to give away 60,000 free haircuts to kids headed back to school, according to Nadine Juoni-Blumenstein, district leader.

From now through Aug. 15, for every child who gets a haircut at any Hair Cuttery, the salon with match it with a free haircut to another student in need.

"The first day of school is a big day for kids and we want to help them look their best," said Dennis Ratner, founder and CEO of Hair Cuttery on their website.

The company works with the departments of human services in each state. The departments distribute free coupons to their clients. The Shorewood location averages about 80 free haircuts. The district, which includes 11 salons, gives about 900, Juoni-Blumenstein said.

As a stylist, it is wonderful to see how the children's confidence level changes, she said. Some of the kids are getting a professional cut for the first time. In many cases, the kids have been getting their hair cut by parents or grandparents.

"It is wonderful to give back locally," she said. "Over the past 11 years, we have donated over 560,000 haircuts that are free to children who are in need."

The program is designed for children to give back to children. Kids receive a sticker that says they got their haircut to give a haircut.

Shorewood's Hair Cuttery is located on Brook Forest Avenue in Shorewood Crossing. Other area Hair Cuttery locations include Crest Hill, Minooka, Lockport, New Lenox, Plainfield, Romeoville, Naperville and Aurora.

Salon hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. No appointment is necessary.

For more information, call 815-577-6913.