Kicks and Cuts: Lawrence Chapel Bash Offers Haircuts, Sneakers, More

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South Carolina Advocate | August 26, 2024

Who doesn’t like a new pair of sneakers and a fresh haircut to start the school year?

Lawrence Chapel United Methodist Church, Central, hosted a Back to School Bash for area children Saturday, July 20.

More than 200 children went home sporting new haircuts, new shoes and a bag of school supplies.

This annual event started many years ago with a school supply collection. Deanna Phifer, the church’s children’s director, thought the church could do more, so shoes and haircuts were added. As a young mother of four girls, she understood and recognized the joy new school shoes and haircuts would mean to other children.

Cuts with Confidence, a local nonprofit organization, provided stylists who brought their tools to give the free haircuts. They were joined by several local stylists who volunteered as well.

“Our congregation got engaged and gave their time and money to help make this possible,” Phifer said.

Additional funding was obtained through a local United Methodist Conference Congregational Development grant.

“When you have over 50 percent of your congregation volunteering on a hot Saturday morning, and you see their joy and love in helping others in need, it brings us together,” said Pastor Gregg Martin. “Jesus was here with us that day.”

School supply bags were blessed and distributed in the church sanctuary. The local library joined in the festivities and issued library cards to families. The Depot Dog in Central came in and sold hot dogs during the event.

Parents and kids expressed their thanks and gratitude for the event and the supplies.

The team is already working on improvement ideas for next year’s Back to School Bash.

Jessica Brodie serves as Editor of the South Carolina Advocate, the news publication of the South Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. This article is republished with permission from the conference website.