DUBUQUE (AP) | Children who read books to a local barber have received a free haircut as part of a community event in Dubuque to help families prepare for the upcoming school year.
Barber Courtney Holmes traded the tales for trims on Saturday during the second annual Back to School Bash in Comiskey Park.
Tayshawn Kirby, 9, of Dubuque, read from "Fats, Oils and Sweets," by Carol Parenzan Smalley, informing Holmes that the average person eats 150 pounds of sugar each year. Before Tayshawn's 10-year-old brother, Titan Feeney, took his turn in the barber chair, he told his brother the new look was great.
"I just want to support kids reading," Holmes said.
St. Mark Youth Enrichment gave away books during the event, some of which were read to Holmes. Outreach coordinator Beth McGorry with St. Mark said she enjoyed watching Holmes help young children sound out the words they didn't know yet.
Caitlin Daniels, grade-level reading coordinator with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, also helped struggling readers in the barber chair.
"It's great. All the kids, they want to have a good haircut to go back to school," she said. "They're paying through reading."
The city's acting resource manager, Anderson Sainci, coordinated the event, which involved nonprofits and other community partners.
More than 100 people learned about free resources and before- and after-school opportunities available to families and students. The first full day of classes in Dubuque is Sept. 1.
(15) comments
"You may have tangible wealth untold; caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be. I had a barber who listened to me read." ~ adapted from a quote by Strickland Gillian
Kudos to Barber Courtney Holmes for the innovative idea -- and for carrying through on it.
The book shown is the wonderful Babe Ruth Saves Baseball by Frank Murphy--a must for primary libraries.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.. Great work Mr. Holmes..
We need more community members like Mr. Courtney Holmes to demonstrate this generous gesture to inspire children to read. He is an Angel Hero. ❤️❤️
I received this story on 8/12 from a friend in Oregon. When I shared it with friends,it has circled the globe
Mr. Holmes, you are a wonderful man. Where is your barber shop in Dubuque? My college age sons want to patronize your shop (and pay, of course! --they don't think you'd like to hear them read their text books!) because of what you have done for students. The world needs more caring people like you. Thank you!
Thank you for such kind gesture Mr.Holmes,the kids will never forget your kindness, here in Kenya Africa we say Akhsante sana ( thank you so much)
Courtney Holmes: MegaProps to *U* for such a wonderfully inclusive idea...so often, it's only the athletically-inclined kids who get to shine in grade & junior high school. For a "bookworm" boy to get to look *good* for doing what he's good at, especially if he's normally an introvert, may help increase his confidence & set him free to love being just HIMSELF...💖💖💖
Thanks to St. Mark Youth Enrichment and Mr. Holmes! We see so much bad news every day that we sometimes have to wonder if there's much good happening. Stories like this are few and far between but oh, so great to see! Good job guys and thank you again! The whole country is getting to see good people are out there doing good things!
Reading this from Sydney Australia. What a wonderful initiative and an inspiring man.
Mr. Holmes, you are a true gentleman. I am a librarian in a Canadian middle school, and will be telling everyone I know about your great deed. I teared up a bit reading this article...you are an inspiration!
Nonprofit Project MemphisFitKids, which promotes a brighter future for our children through family support & community engagement, is INSPIRED by this wonderful idea! We're honored to share your news on MemphisFitKids.org's Facebook page, where it is generating interest in launching this clever idea in our community.
I am a high school teacher in Florida and shared this. Reading is the key to academic success. You are a true hero. Thank you.
You just popped up on my news feed in Arizona and I wanted to tell you thank you.
It's the little things that change the world one child at a time.
One never knows the moments that people remember when they grow up... Maybe dad teaching you a fishing knot, maybe mom helping the old neighbor lady weed the garden, maybe a kind man at a barbershop giving you a haircut to be well-kempt for a new grade at school. People like Courtney Holmes become elements of the formative years, and may he be blessed for his kindness.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.