Back-to-School Rally Offers Haircuts, Backpacks

A Tuscaloosa tradition aimed at preparing students for a successful school year is returning with free haircuts, backpacks, school supplies and family fun.

Beulah Baptist Church and The R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Organization will host the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Back-to-School Rally: "Rejuvenating the Mind" on Thursday, Aug. 6, with activities taking place at two locations throughout the day.

The event begins with free haircuts from 3 to 5 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church, located at 3100 25th Street. Students receiving haircuts must be accompanied by an adult.

The celebration then moves to the McDonald Hughes Community Center, 3101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., from 6 to 8 p.m., where organizers will distribute 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies to help students prepare for the new academic year.

Families will also have the opportunity to enter raffle drawings for two big-screen televisions and tablets, adding to an evening focused on encouraging students and supporting local families.

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The rally is hosted by Pastor David E. Gay Jr. of Beulah Baptist Church and Pastor Steve Green, founder of the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Organization and pastor of More Than Conqueror Faith Church.

Several community organizations and businesses are partnering to support the event, including Townsquare Media, Buffalo Rock, Whatley Health Services, Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Church of Judah, Christ Baptist Church and Tuscaloosa South Finest Meats.

Organizers encourage families to arrive early, as a large crowd is expected for one of Tuscaloosa's biggest back-to-school outreach events. The goal is to make sure students begin the school year feeling confident, equipped and ready to learn.