'It takes a village': Volunteers, donations help 3rd annual 'Cuts for Kids' event in West Allis

 

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Next week, thousands of students from West Allis-West Milwaukee School District will head back to the classroom, but before then, community volunteers are making sure they have everything they need, including a fresh new look.

The 3rd annual Cuts for Kids event was held at the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation Center on Monday, providing free haircuts, school supplies, and snacks for students.

"It's a resource that helps families to get through this time of year," said Bobby Foreman, program manager at the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation Center.

The goal is to build confidence in kids ahead of the school year and give parents some financial and personal relief.

"There are so many families that just need help, and it doesn't mean that they're necessarily struggling, it just helps them to get back to school on the right foot," Foreman said.

More than a dozen stylists and barbers helped volunteer for this year's event.

"The idea is they come back year to year, so when kids come, they recognize -- you cut my hair last year, it looked good, and I want to go back to that barber," Foreman said.

Cuts for Kids is completely volunteer and donation based, with different parts of the community helping each other.

"I really enjoy working with the community, and it gets me out of the -- gets me out of my own salon," said hair stylist Jamie Pilak. "It just brings everyone together, brings a lot of different stylists together."

The event has grown larger each year, with more volunteers and more visitors.

"There's a lot of negative stuff in the world today, but I think a day like this just shows how many good people are very close to where we are," Foreman said. "The expression 'it takes a village' is so true."