Look good, feel good, or so they say. For Maranda Beard, however, it is a philosophy that can make all the difference. Beard, at her salon #douloveit, on Monday, supplied free haircuts for students going back to school. Her reasoning for doing so is one that hits close to home for many. 

“I am doing this in memory of my brother,” said Beard. “He took his own life, and I think bullying in school is one of the worst things going on right now in this generation.” Beard attributes social media as a root cause in the growth of bullying within the school system. “I think if a kid goes into school and feels like they look good, they might be less likely to be bullied. Kids are mean. Kids are really, really mean,” she said. 

This is the first year that Beard has provided the  free service, but said she would like to do it every year. “I want this to be an annual thing because times are tough. Even for me right now, times are tough. For a lot of parents, they have to decide between paying their electric bills or getting haircuts before school starts. This doesn’t cost me a dime, just my time.” 

Beard was sure to recognize Freedom Life Church, Pebbles Barner, Lou Ann Bottoms and Pioneer Nutrition for their donations which allowed Beard to get school supplies to give away to kids as well. “It’s not a whole lot, but it’s a start. We have 44 kids today to give haircuts to.” 

Misty Beth Martin from Head to Toe Salon partnered up with Beard to help give the haircuts. “We just ganged up and she is helping me knock these haircuts out,” said Beard. 

Both Beard and Martin said they feel blessed to see the happy faces on kids after they receive their haircuts. “We are just loving on people like Jesus does,” said Martin. Beard followed closely behind her, proclaiming, “Amen!”