HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — For the fourth year in a row, dozens of barbers and stylists donated free haircuts for anyone who needs them. The event is called No Hair Left Behind, and as usual, it took place inside Dunkin Park in Hartford.
Sherry Bronson works at Trey’s Barber Shop in Southington, but on Monday she was at the ball park, donating her time.
“We’re fortunate enough to be in business for about eight years now,” Bronson said. “So, every now and then we want to contribute and give a little bit back.”
No Hair Left Behind keeps growing every year, and Miguel Delvalle is the man behind it.
“It’s not just the number of people that are showing up, it’s the purpose and the work that we’re doing that is making it bigger and more impactful,” Delvalle said.
A fresh haircut can make a big difference. Just ask Robert Jeffers.
“Freshens you up a little bit. Makes you feel good,” Jeffers said.
Jeffers was getting his hair cut by Officer Miguel Varella of the Hartford Police Department, who was trimming and buzzing instead of protecting and serving.
“It’s just a great gathering of individuals who are looking for the assistance that they need, and why not provide a haircut if I can?” Varella said.
While the haircuts in there are the big draw, there were also lots of organizations offering lots of services designed to help out a lot longer than a haircut. One of them was the Harm Reduction Alliance, offering medical help, HIV and Hepatitis testing, and free Narcan kits to reverse overdoses.
“We want to make sure our communities stay safe, stay healthy, have the resources they need, and a lot of the folks that we work with are unstably housed, are living well below the poverty level,” said Kim Radda, R.N., with the CT Harm Reduction Alliance.
“There’s been people who, right from my event, have gone straight to rehab, straight to get mental health help, straight to get shelter, straight to get food,” Delvalle said. “So, it’s more important than just a haircut.”
It would not happen without the haircuts, however.
“We are blessed,” Bronson said. “So, to give a little bit of time back, that’s nothing.”
And that attitude is really everything.
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