Hair Cuttery, the largest family-owned and operated chain of hair salons in the country, announced on November 26, that 67,730 haircuts will be donated to former service men and women through its November Share-A-Haircut program. More than doubling last November’s donation tally, the certificates are valued at $21 each for a total campaign value of more than $1.4 million, and will be used to show thanks and gratitude to veterans across the country.
DIVERGE talked to Diane Daly, Director of Public and Community Relations at Hair Cuttery to find out details on this program:
Why is Hair Cuttery passionate about this initiative?
Hair Cuttery is passionate about this initiative because as a company we are committed to giving back to the communities in which we operate. We established our Share-A-Haircut program in 1999 as a way to help children in need get a haircut before returning to school for the year. Since then, the program has grown to benefit the homeless, victims of domestic abuse and veterans. We believe that a new haircut symbolizes a new start and new possibilities.
How does it feel to have donations have last year double in 2016?
As our way of thanking our former service men and women for all they have done for our country, we are overjoyed to be able to donate more than twice as many free haircut certificates to our veterans this year compared to last year. We could not have done this without the help of our clients and are so grateful to the 67,730 of them who came in to one of our nearly 900 Hair Cuttery salons on Veterans Day and purchased a haircut.
How can people contribute?
Our Share-A-Haircut program for veterans has already concluded, but we host three other Share-A-Haircut programs throughout the year. For each haircut purchased in any of our Hair Cuttery salons on each of these dates we will donate a free haircut certificate to someone in need through our partnerships with local government and social service agencies. People can contribute by visiting one of our salons on the below dates for our 2017 Share-A-Haircut programs:
February 6-7, 2017 to benefit the homeless (men, women and children)
May 1-2, 2017 to benefit victims of domestic violence (men, women and children)
August 1-15, 2017 to benefit disadvantaged youth (children up to age 18)
November 11, 2017 to benefit all veterans
What feedback do you get from the veterans?
With each Share-A-Haircut program we do, we work with local government and social service agencies to distribute the free haircut certificates. We often receive letters from these organizations praising this initiative and how much their clients appreciate it. We included a quote in our press release from Carl Singer, COL U.S. Army, Retired & National Commander of Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., but below is the full note he wrote us:
“Like many Jewish GIs I remember my first military haircut. In early May of 1970 I began Army Basic Training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The previous week my uncle who was a barber gave a short, good looking (I thought) haircut. The Army’s barber didn’t hesitate to essentially shave all of my hair off. Welcome to the Army.
On a serious note I want to thank you for reaching out to veterans on Veterans Day. Although I would assert that “every day is veterans day” – I am most pleased that The Hair Cuttery has instituted its Share-A-Haircut to recognize our Veterans.
I truly find it heartwarming that American companies are reaching out to our veterans.”
In addition to positive feedback from agencies and on social media, we receive a lot of feedback from our associates about how proud they are to be able to help veterans. Some of our associates are veterans themselves, or have brothers, sisters, husbands and wives who are veterans, so it’s a cause that’s close to many of our stylists’ hearts.
How important is diversity to Hair Cuttery as a brand?
Hair Cuttery values diversity in its associates and its clients. We employ people from all backgrounds and ethnicities and believe that makes us a stronger, more connected company.
