JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Hundreds of local families are heading into the new school year with a little less financial weight on their shoulders, thanks to a community giveaway event held in Jacksonville. <\/p>\n
The Total Beauty Institute hosted its 8th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway, providing roughly 500 students with free backpacks, essential school supplies, fresh haircuts, food and more just days before classrooms reopen. <\/p>\n
This year, the event also extended a special thank you to mothers by offering them free eyelash extensions and eyebrow shaping. <\/p>\n
Hair clippers filled the room as local stylists took time to ensure every child left feeling confident. For parents, the free haircuts and style were a major financial relief. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey really blessed us with the haircuts because they\u2019re expensive,\u201d said local mother Toi Glasper. <\/p>\n
Another parent, Senora Reynolds, shared her excitement about the opportunity to get her son\u2019s hair styled ahead of the first day of school. Reynolds noted that grooming costs can quickly rival other back-to-school essentials. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust getting your hair done is almost as expensive as shoes or the outfits,\u201d Reynolds said. \u201cAny way you can get help breaking that down, it helps.\u201d <\/p>\n
As inflation and the general cost of living continue to climb, families face increasingly tight budgets when shopping for school supplies. Caretaker Catherine Wortherly explained that without community events like this, purchasing everything on the school list would simply be impossible. <\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t be able to buy it because other needs are needed,\u201d Wortherly said. <\/p>\n
Recognizing the growing strain on local households, organizers actively scaled up their operations this year. The event was co-sponsored by Reggie Gaffney and Reginald Jr., who worked alongside Total Beauty Institute to meet the high demand. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we end up with about four or five hundred kids, we\u2019ll always run out,\u201d said Reggie Gaffney. \u201cSo we even increased this year.\u201d <\/p>\n
In addition to ensuring the children were well-equipped and well-fed, the event dedicated a special section to treating the women who keep these families running. <\/p>\n
Tonia Bell-Gaffney, Director of Total Beauty Institute, emphasized the importance of making sure students eat well and receive the high-quality supplies and backpacks they need to succeed. <\/p>\n
However, she noted that taking care of the mothers is an important part of this event, as moms also got a free voucher to come back and get a facial along with free eyebrow shaping and more. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey are the ones who are responsible for the little blessings,\u201d Bell-Gaffney said, explaining why the institute decided to pamper moms with free beauty services. <\/p>\n
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