HAMILTON, Ohio — HAMILTON, Ohio — In what has been a difficult year for most people, a Hamilton barbershop is working to put smiles on the faces of kids and their families.
Plush Cuts Barbershop, located in the 800 block of Central Avenue, hosted its sixth annual Christmas toy drive Wednesday. A steady stream of people came into the shop and picked out toys.
Owner Shawn Jarrett said this is the barbershop's biggest toy drive yet.
“We’ve seen a need in the community and the pandemic doesn’t help,” he said.
Jarrett, who grew up in Hamilton and has been in business since 1996, said he feels a deep connection to every kid who walks through his door.
The barbershop collected more than 500 toys, and more than 90 people showed up before noon to pick one.
“I see how hard it is for people," Jarrett said. "Some people can’t afford a haircut, so we want to give people a break.”
Fellow business owners Slim Life Ministries and Singletary Construction helped Jarrett make the toy drive a success. Dozens of Plush Cuts customers also donated to the total as the shop adopted three families this year who had special needs and requests.
“Many families asked for shoes. We even got a bike and other toys with the money," Jarrett said. "This year is bigger than last year. It grows every year and it gets better.”
