Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township hosted the annual Hope Cuts fundraiser on Saturday.
The event, organized by Shane White, a freshman at Holy Family University, and Brandee Baker, a cosmetologist instructor at the school, offered manicures, deep conditioning, haircuts, and facials for $5 each between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Advertisements
The morning started out with the remnants of a snowstorm and a few people at the charity gathering were worried that the weather may have an adverse effect on the turnout. White explained that the “business is great, especially considering the weather.”
Brandee Baker, the instructor and original organizer of the event, explained that she saw an article for Hope Cuts in a trade magazine, which gave her the idea to bring the fundraising effort to the school. Baker said Hope Cuts, which benefits City of Hope, holds events all over the country.
Baker noted the total number of student volunteers at the event. “[We have] about 60 cosmetology students today.” Baker also explained that there were 10 kids from the Key Club, which provides students with opportunities to “provide service, build character, and develop leadership,” according to the BCTHS Key Club’s website.
Advertisements
The proceeds from the local event at the high school will go to Jefferson University Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “It goes into teaching people how to beautify themselves while dealing with cancer,” said Baker.
“It’s a great experience for the students because it teaches them that they can give back to the community, it also helps their confidence,” she said of the kids from the cosmetology department who were participating in the Hope Cuts.
Advertisements
“Everyone loves coming to this. They love raising money for a really good cause,” explained Gabriella Rivera, a senior who was participating in Hope Cuts. Between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Rivera had about eight clients.
“It’s a good feeling to give back to the community,” said Casandra Morris, another senior who was volunteering. Morris had seen about six clients by about 1:30 p.m.
Even people attending the event wholeheartedly bought in to the message and goal behind the day. One such patron and donor was Mandi Leap, who got a manicure while three of her sons got haircuts. “I think that it’s a wonderful event. I love his (her son’s) haircut, they do a really great job,” she said. .
Advertisements
By the end of the event, the volunteers raised more than $5,000 for the City of Hope through its annual Hope Cuts event through about 150 people participating, according to White.
Due to the inclement weather, a second Hope Cuts will be held on Saturday, March 7. This event, acting as a continuation of Saturday’s event, will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will feature the same services and prices, according to White.
