RVP File Photo

A young girl gets her hair cut during last year's $10 haircut day at the Hair Lounge. Last year's event raised about $2,000 for the Airdrie Food Bank. This year's event will take place on Aug. 26 from noon to 6 p.m.

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Haircuts to raise money for Airdrie Food Bank programs

For the third year in a row, Airdrie’s The Hair Lounge will be offering $10 haircuts to local students from kindergarten to Grade 12 on Aug. 26 to benefit the Airdrie Food Bank.

All of the proceeds from the day will be donated to the food bank and will fund R.J. Hawkey Elementary School’s breakfast program and the Snack Attack program, which provides snacks to students at schools throughout Rocky View County.

“We want to support an organization that supports our community, and it’s perfect for back-to-school,” said The Hair Lounge Owner Wendy Bates-Wiebe. “Some kids or their parents just can’t afford a whole new wardrobe and to get their hair done for back-to-school. This is a good opportunity for us to help these kids by giving them a new look for going back that will give them confidence and make them feel good about themselves, and the money helps out other kids through the food bank.”

Last year, a total of 109 students came out for $10 Hair Cut Day and the event has raised nearly $4,000 for the food bank since it started in 2010. The proceeds helped R.J. Hawkey provide roughly 5,000 breakfasts for its students, as well as providing Rocky View students with granola bars, fruit cups and other snacks for the school day.

“The last two years were very successful,” said Bates-Wiebe. “It’s definitely well-received by the community. Everything is donated by the community. This is how Airdrie rolls. It’s a people-and-businesses-helping-businesses-that-help-the-community type of community. Everyone helps each other out.”

With the recently finished extension known as The Cellar, the shop’s 11 stylists will have access to an additional four chairs and will be able to serve more students at the same time. Bates-Wiebe hopes this means they will be able to give a wash, cut, dry and style to as many as 180 children from noon to 6 p.m.

With this in mind, and with the silent auction, hot dogs, chips and drinks that will be available, Bates-Wiebe hopes to raise between $2,500 and $3,000.

“It’s going to be a fun day,” she said, adding there will also be a bouncy house, art station, bracelet making and face painting outside.

“It’s fun for everybody, it’s like a little carnival.”

Bates-Wiebe said due to the number of children who are expected to attend the event, appointments will be time-called, meaning students or their parents must come in to the shop on the day and make an appointment and return 15 minutes prior to the time of the haircut. Appointments will be on a first-come, first-served basis and phone appointments will not be accepted.

The shop is also seeking donations for the silent auction, and anyone who is interested in donating is encouraged to call 403-980-2820 or drop by the shop, located at 113 1st Street NW.

To find out more about $10 Hair Cut Day, visit www.thehairloungeairdrie.com