© 2025 Kaitlin Campbell
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Back-to-school season in Syracuse comes with a special tradition at Bethany Baptist Church: free haircuts, backpacks and food to help students head into the new year with confidence.
For the past three years, the church has marked the end of summer with a back-to-school event focused on helping kids look and feel their best. This year, the church distributed 400 backpacks filled with school supplies and served hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, cotton candy, ice cream and more. The event was made possible through a partnership with National Grid, various sponsors and donations from the Bethany congregation.
Barber chairs lined up inside the church never stopped spinning as stylists worked to get children ready for the first day of class. Some barbers set goals to serve as many children as possible, with at least one aiming to complete 20 haircuts during the event.
“I was called to do something for the community, and I was more than willing to do it,” said barber Tony Eiland, who has volunteered at the event since the beginning.
For Eiland and the other barbers, the work goes beyond fresh cuts. It is about giving students confidence as they walk into school.
“It makes them feel better. They can focus on the schoolwork and listen, feel good about being where they are rather than worrying about, you know, what their hair looks like,” said barber Charleston Collins.
The barbers said the event is about giving back to their community.
“It’s not always about taking. It’s about giving. So that’s why I do what I do,” Eiland said.
For parents, the event eases both stress and financial strain.
“Having to spend hundreds of dollars for haircuts, man in the neighborhood, and just trying to work and everything like that. It can be a lot,” said parent Randell Ferrell. “So I’m just thankful that we can go ahead and have a program like this where people go ahead and donate their time and their effort.”
Surrounded by friends, family and neighbors, the day also serves as a celebration of community spirit.
“Having something to bring the community together. It’s a blessing,” Ferrell said.