A back-to-school event was held at a local hair and beauty salon in Killeen on Saturday.
Headquarters Upscale Barber and Beauty, 506 W. Jasper Drive, distributed free haircuts and backpacks to students in the area.
Christine Toodle, owner of Headquarters, said, “We offer back-to-school haircuts and braids.” This was the second year in a row the company hosted a back-to-school event and the first time it was held at its own premises.
Toodle, whose business opened in part thanks to an American Rescue Plan Act grant, said this is her way of showing her appreciation. She said, “It’s just my way of giving back to the city.”
Last year the event was held in a club. This time it was held outside the hair and beauty salon. There were several vendors, sponsors and a food truck outside.
By Saturday afternoon, the parking lot was completely full of vehicles. Some people had even parked in yellow marked spaces because there were no normal parking spaces left.
Sponsors outside included the Unleashed Beasts Motorcycle Club and the Cycle Knights Motorcycle Club. The Unleashed Beasts had set up a tent right next to the door of the hair and beauty salon and had a lot of backpacks with them to give away.
“We have received donations for over 600 backpacks,” Toodle said, adding that this is at least 200 more than they were able to give away last year.
A long line of people waiting for a haircut had formed outside the door of the hair and beauty salon. There was no room inside while hairdressers prepared the children for the upcoming school year.
When asked if the event went well, Toodle answered without hesitation: “Yes. Absolutely.”
By Saturday afternoon, she estimated that more than 200 people had already attended the event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
