Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(136,043 posts)
Sun May 12, 2013, 11:15 AM May 2013

Barber, 82, Offers Haircuts for Hugs in Conn. Park.

Each Wednesday, barber Anthony Cymerys sets up his chair in the shade of an oak tree in Hartford's Bushnell Park. For longtime clients, the homeless or those just down on their luck, the fee is always the same: a hug for a haircut.

The 82-year-old Cymerys, who is known as Joe the Barber, began offering his services 25 years ago after retiring from a career in business. He had cut hair for his family but decided to put his clippers to work for the less fortunate after being inspired by a church sermon about the homeless.

He wanted the homeless not to look homeless.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/05/12/us/ap-us-haircuts-for-hugs.html?hp

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Barber, 82, Offers Haircuts for Hugs in Conn. Park. (Original Post) elleng May 2013 OP
Good for him. Aristus May 2013 #1
How incredibly thoughtful and kind and giving... NYC_SKP May 2013 #2
Terrific. and thanks for posting.. Stuart G May 2013 #3
Love, love, love... OneGrassRoot May 2013 #4
 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
2. How incredibly thoughtful and kind and giving...
Sun May 12, 2013, 11:27 AM
May 2013

Surely, getting a real haircut (not a self or friend-done clipping) is one of the first things to go when you're down on your luck.

The blow to self-esteem and self-image gets further battered by an inability to tend to what we all must take for granted.

Thanks for the story, elleng!

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Good News»Barber, 82, Offers Haircu...