Ron Peterson and Donald Ravenell donated their time to provide free haircuts to School 2 students on Dec. 20.
Monday morning, students at School 2 were treated to free haircuts thanks to two local barbers and the My Brother’s Keeper initiative. The Cuts for the Holidays program offered students a trim and the opportunity to learn about a potential career opportunity.
Ron Peterson of Clifton Plaza Barbershop (a 1998 Troy High School graduate) and Donald Ravenell, owner of Mahogany Barbershop in Albany spent part of their mornings providing haircuts to students ahead of the holidays.
Both men were eager for the opportunity to give back to the community and understand the value of investing in children.
“I think the children need good role models to come back and show them and that they have opportunities. We harp a lot on college and I think that trades are a very good opportunity for kids to be successful for those who don’t want to go to college,” said Peterson.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to partner with our community,” said Amanda Klopott, School 2 Principal. “One of our priorities is to support students’ academic and social-emotional growth. Providing haircuts from strong community members is another opportunity to build connections, learn about each other and get to look nice as well!”
“It’s our way of reaching out to the community and offering a little help in building our students’ confidence and self-esteem,” said Charles Walker, Project Leader of My Brother`s Keeper at School 2. “Something as simple as a free haircut can help ease the financial burden on many of our families and hopefully put a smile on a kid`s face when they look in the mirror.”
Ravenell added “I will do anything that I can to help kids. It doesn’t matter where you are from, we are a community and all of these kids are our own.”