Free haircuts, school supplies at Upper Room Church Back to School Bash
BY SAM VISE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — The Upper Room Church will host its annual Back to School Bash on Sunday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. ET, featuring free food, haircuts for students, games, door prizes and school supplies.
The rain-or-shine event will take place at the church, located at 3640 55th St. in Valley.
“We will have various games, door prizes, free food, free haircuts for students and back to school supplies while supplies last,” Pastor Bogey Cotney said. “There will be inflatables and different games for kids to play. Everyone is welcome, and it is a free event.”
Aside from inflatables and family fun, the Back to School Bash serves a larger purpose. Cotney said the event began as a way to support local families facing financial difficulties and ensure children have the items they need for the new school year.
“We want families to know we care and we’re here for them,” Cotney said. “We know that at the beginning of school there can be some financial difficulties for some families to be able to purchase the things they need, and so we’re wanting to lighten the financial load on families this year and just be able to provide their kids with the items they need.”
The student must be present to receive school supplies. Cotney said the supplies are donated by church members.
“We hand out a list of items needed, and our church family goes out, buys it and donates it to the church,” he said. “Then we divide it up and put it in drawstring backpacks to give away. We have never run out.”
The bash will also host local barbers and beauticians ready to provide free, simple haircuts for students. Cotney said featured local stylists include Anthony Holloway from the Barber Shack and Brooklyn Hildebrand from A Cut Above in Lanett, alongside several partners.
“We have a couple of barbers that are going to be there,” Cotney said. “You have to sign up if you want a haircut. These barbers and beauticians are just giving a simple haircut, they’re not doing perms, they’re not doing highlights or anything like that. It’s just a haircut, and it is for students only, so as soon as you get to the event, [students] need to sign up so they can be on the list.”
While Cotney is the face of the event, he credited his wife, Cyndee, for carrying the logistical weight to make it happen each summer. He said the effort pays off when he gets to connect with his neighbors.
“We have done [the event], I think, for about five or six years,” he said. “It’s been a big thing for the last few years, and it’s always been a big success. I just like mingling with the families and talking to people in the community.”
Visit The Upper Room Church’s Facebook page for more information.
