This Barber In Iowa Gives Free Haircuts To Kids As Long As They Read To Him

August 13, 2015

Children who read books to Courtney Holmes have received a free haircut as part of a community event to help families prepare for the upcoming school year.

"I just want to support kids reading," the Dubuque, Iowa barber said.

barber gives free haircut to kids who read to him
Photo: Mike Burley/Telegraph Herald via AP

The event was the result of collaboration between multiple community partners and nonprofit organizations.

St. Mark Youth Enrichment gave away books during the event, some of which were read to Holmes. Outreach coordinator Beth McGorry with St. Mark said she enjoyed watching Holmes help young children sound out the words they didn't know yet.

"It's great. All the kids, they want to have a good haircut to go back to school," Caitlin Daniels, grade-level reading coordinator with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque said. "They're paying through reading."

The first full day of classes in Dubuque is Sept. 1.