‘Free cuts’: Man transforms Michigan park into barbershop
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — For just under three months, 23-year-old Chris McCoy has been out in his community, giving back in a very unique way.
McCoy has turned Heartside Park in downtown Grand Rapids into a barbershop and salon, giving out free haircuts to any and all who want one.
“I have been cutting for about a year or year and a half,” McCoy told News 8. “I really just like being a resource for people.”
He has created his very own organization, called “The Rebirth,” which, he says, he started as a way to give back to his community. McCoy works alongside friends and volunteers to give fresh new haircuts to the community.
“When you come out here and you change someone’s day, you realize you never know what someone is going through,” he said. “So that nice haircut and fresh smile, it could change a person’s life.”
McCoy says he chose Heartside Park because it’s traditionally where those experiencing homelessness tend to congregate, so he wanted to become a resource for those who need it the most.
“I have been in situations where I needed people and I wasn’t able to get the help that I needed,” he said. “And now I am just trying to help out in as many ways as I can, because that’s the only thing that’s going to save our community is us. We have to take out initiative and go help people as much as possible.”
For the past 2.5 months, McCoy says he has been giving out free haircuts every Thursday from around 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. He says he hopes to add an additional day as it continues to grow.
Bryant Pegram told News 8 that he has been getting the haircuts for weeks. He says he is so thankful that the community is getting the love they deserve.
“We need more positivity like this in the community,” Pegram said. “This is a big come-up for the city, especially because, you know, people need a haircut, but maybe they just don’t have time for one. And here at Heartside, they give out free haircuts once a week. To me, it’s marvelous.”
McCoy says he operates completely through donations. For more information about his organization, you can visit its Facebook page.
