Student group takes shears to poverty
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/cutathon.jpg” caption=”The McMaster Student Outreach Collaborative is holding its annual cut-a-thon this weekend, in support of Neighbour to Neighbour and its own outreach work. “]
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Are your locks getting too long? Are you in need of a trim? The McMaster Student Outreach Collaborative (Mac SOC) can help.
The McMaster organization, which helps fight poverty in the Hamilton area, is hosting its ninth annual cut-a-thon this weekend, in support of Neighbour to Neighbour and its own outreach work.
Sunday will see hair stylists from all over the province descend upon Albert Snow Salon in Westdale to help control those out of control curls and tame those tresses with haircuts, priced at 25 dollars, that would normally cost more than double that amount.
This year's proceeds will be split between Neighbour to Neighbour, an organization that provides services for the working poor and abused women as well as children's tutoring and employment services, and Mac SOC, which provides social support, clothes, food and blankets to the homeless.
The cut-a-thon is one of many initiatives that Mac SOC engages in each year in an effort to alleviate the effects of poverty and help the homeless in the Hamilton area.
"It's an opportunity for students to experience firsthand the value of local community partnerships that support those living in poverty or at risk of living in poverty in the Hamilton community," said Alyshah Kaba, Mac SOC volunteer.
Mac SOC also organizes "operation shoebox" each year during the holiday season. This initiative provides shoeboxes filled with gloves, hats and personal hygiene items to the homeless and needy children throughout the community. In the nearly ten years that it has been running the program has put together almost 300 boxes a year.
"This sort of work provides the community with very important resources," said Kaba.
MacSOC was created in 1999 by two McMaster nursing students and continues to be active with the help of countless volunteers which include students, staff, faculty and community members.
"McMaster University is not just a school - it's a part of the community. As students we have a responsibility to support the community that gives us so much support."
The cut-a-thon is scheduled to take place on March 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and no appointment is necessary.
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