THUNDER BAY – Hairstylists at Trenz Hair Studio and Day Spa, along with students from NuWave School of Hair Design, volunteered their time on Sunday to provide free basic haircuts to Fort William First Nation children and youth.
Students from junior kindergarten to Grade 12 from Fort William First Nation were able to register or walk-in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Cosimo A. Minnella, co-owner of Trenz Hair Studio and NuWave School of Hair Design, said this has been an ongoing event since 2018.
“We're doing kids back-to-school haircuts for the Fort William First Nations. I keep on doing it every year and it makes me feel great,” he said.
Minnella said in the past few years, the hairstylists were doing haircuts at Fort William First Nation, but this year they did it at the studio at 1075 Memorial Ave.
"It makes me feel great and it's a good honour to do this every year. It's good for the community and for our businesses as well for NuWave and Trenz Hair Studio."
It benefits both sides, as the students learning the trade gain more experience through these haircuts, and students returning to school can do so with a new style, Minnella said.
“I'd rather (the students) do most of the hair than myself. Just to get them more experience and have me supervise, to see what they're doing right and wrong,” he said.
Minnella and other instructors check haircuts once students finish and answer any questions the students may have on technique or execution.
He said he works with Marnie Greenwald, who registers children and promotes the day.
If any hairstylists are interested in participating in the volunteer haircuts next year, Minnella encourages them to reach out to Marnie Greenwald.