St. Louis Radio host Craig Blac is hosting the 9th annual Community Cuts for Kids event on Sunday August 15 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This program gives area children the opportunity to get a free haircut or hair styling before the school year begins, along with free school supplies.
The program has three locations this year that service St. Louis City and East St. Louis: Herbert Hoover Boys’ and Girls’ Club, the Monsanto YMCA and East St. Louis Senior High School.
In the past nine years the program has grown tremendously, and more growth is planned for next year.
“It started off with eight barbers and we probably cut 25-50 kids’ hair, and it grew from there. Last year we cut 2,500 kids from all locations combined,” Craig Blac, founder and organizer of the event, said.
“I do plan to extend my locations next year to include some of the County.”
Craig Blac’s Community Cuts for Kids now has 125 barbers.
Blac has been a radio host in St. Louis for about 10 years. Currently he hosts a sports radio show, “The Word on Sports,” on KSLG 1380 AM Monday through Thursday.
“[Community Cuts for Kids] started off with my radio career. I was challenged by a program director, Mike Fox, to do a community event. I pondered and came up with giving haircuts for school,” Blac said.
Craig Blac runs the event with partner organization, the Children of Today Foundation, since the event’s beginning. On the first day of the event in 2001, Jackie Mitchell with Children of Today arrived unannounced at the East St. Louis location with a truck full of supplies to donate.
Mitchell, who heads the foundation, chooses different events to support with donations. The Children of Today Foundation has helped over 140 organizations.
“The point is to help the people who are less fortunate than others,” Mitchell said.
Other organizations that Blac works closely with are Molina Healthcare, which donated school supplies for 1,000 students, and Yourtel America, which has provided enough school supplies for 1,500 children. Many barbers and beauticians studying at Vatterott College will cut and style students’ hair.
“It works because people donate supplies and because of the donation of time,” Blac said.
Computers ‘R’ Us is donating one custom made computer for each of the three locations. Any student is eligible to win the computer in a raffle just before the event ends at each location.
“It’s purely giving back and helping out the community that’s in need,” Blac said.
“The main thing is about the kids. That’s why I do it so close to back-to-school time. Walking into school on that first day with a fresh haircut helps their self-esteem.”
Before the Community Cuts for Kids event, Blac is working with Fox 2 News to collect school supplies. On Friday, August 13 at the St. Charles Barber College, Blac will be collecting school supplies to give them away for the August 15 event. Free haircuts and hair styling will be provided along with free breakfast provided by McDonald’s for those who donate school supplies. Fox 2 News will televise this pre-event live, which will take place from 6:45 a.m. to 8 a.m.
If you want to volunteer with Community Cuts for Kids or would like more information, call 314-204-462-5105 or e-mail craigblac@gmail.com.
For more information about Children of Today Foundation, e-mail jlevert@sbcglobal.net.
