Local hair salon holds back-to-school bash for sheltered children

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - Inspired Designs Hair Salon & Barber Shop organized a back-to-school bash event featuring free haircuts and school supplies for kids staying at children’s shelters with Central Texas Youth Services.

The owner of Inspired Designs Hair Salon & Barber Shop, Dee Garcia, has organized a back-to-school bash at her two Killeen locations for 20 years. She said at each event she aims to make the children’s day brighter.

“We cannot change where they live or their environment but we can make them look and feel like all of the other students when they go back to school,” Garcia said.

Garcia said seeing the children’s faces light up makes it worth it every time.

“The giveback and the reward of helping the children and seeing that you made a little bit of a difference,” Garcia said. “Seeing their eyes get glossed up and being excited. Some of them have never been in a hair salon or barber shop before. And we just get to make a difference and they get to have a day of fun before they go back.”

Children from the emergency youth shelter “Option House” attended the event. That shelter’s director said the haircuts would give the children confidence when returning to school.

“They’re gonna be elated,” Option House Director Reggie Harrell said. “Just to have their hair done and have it fresh for the start of school and not get ridiculed. It will be a great asset for them as well.”

Local businesses and customers of the salon made school supply donations for the event. Sheltered children were able to receive free school supplies at the event. For the children that were unable to attend, Garcia delivers supplies to them.

The event featured games, free food, and a DJ. Several members of the Mid Texas Corvette Club allowed kids to take pictures in their vehicles.

The salon held an event later in the day open to the rest of the community.

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