250 students will receive free school supplies and 100 children will receive fresh haircuts and braids Saturday when Afro L’Amour and Lili’s Beauty Supply host the third annual Back to School Giveaway and Fresh Cuts and Braids Event at 303 Alexander St. in Boutte.
The supply giveaway will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No registration is required.
The braiding and hair cut event will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration for that portion of the event is available at www.afrolamour.com.
Organizer Brandi Jacobs of Luling said there will also be free food and a blood drive at the event.
“I want my boys to look back and say, ‘My mom really did something … she helped kids,” Jacobs said. “I’ve been braiding hair for 20 years. I realized that braiding hair is more than a job for me. I have the natural ability to do braids and make others feel confident when they get out the chair. I always did giveaways or free hair styles around the holidays, but it wasn’t until three years ago that I hosted my first event.”
Jacobs said Lili’s Beauty supply in Luling provides her with the space and products she needs to make the event successful, and that her desire to give back to the community is fueled from her own experience of being bullied as a child because she didn’t have some of the things other kids had.
“I don’t have much to give, but I do have talent,” Jacobs said. “Your hair is your crown … it’s your personality, and it gives you confidence. I understand how expensive it can be to get a child’s hair done. I want the kids to go to school prepared and give the children something to look forward to with a touch of love.”
Jacobs said the scope of the event is only made possible by a host of sponsors, braiders and barbers. Event sponsors include Afro L’amour Da Braid Contractor LLC, AMP Events, We Made, Frank Crowley Masonic Hall, Delayshia Carter with Lay with Pleasure LLC, Jasmine Strickland, Nails by Miranda, the NAACP, Lewis Logan, Alicia Johnson and Chyshena Coleman of S.C.A.R.S, Precious Angels, Angie Singleton, Dwayne LaGrange, Reanda Fields, La’Neshia Markey, Crystal Rafiel, Catina Raymond with Da Raymond’s Way and Lili’s Beauty Supply.
Volunteer braiders include Jasmine Strickland of Jazzified By Jazz, Pretty Kitty Committee Roland Simmons, KeAundra Lockett of Keke Braided Me, Jzanelle White of JAYZBRAIDS, Jasmine Jackson, Alexis Thomas of Blessed hands by lex, Shannon Chapman of Everything Glam’d, Paige Nash of locs by Paige and Alajah Young. Volunteer barbers include Danielle Bigham (Dunnie the Barber) Dunn by the Bearded one, splash flash, Kodakutz and Chuck.
Thank you Ms. Monique Roth for taking up our story about servicing the community with giving out free school supplies,free food,hair styles, hair cut, uniform.