Give back this holiday season: Island Hair Studio and Barbershop hosting food drive

By Marissa Mistriner

Special to Niagara Frontier Publications

The Island Hair Studio and Barbershop is hosting a food drive from now until Nov. 17. This food drive is accepting nonperishable items. All donations can be dropped off inside the salon, and the proceeds will be given to the local Neighbor’s Foundation of Grand Island.

In addition to giving back to the community, anyone who donates will be entered in a drawing to win the prize of a free haircut and gift basket.

Abigail Chambers, owner and stylist, said, “I just wanted to do it for Thanksgiving, you know, and give back to the community to help the people of Grand Island.”

Olivia Crowley, stylist and Grand Island local, said, “It just feels great giving back to the place where I grew up, especially working and living on the island.”

Chambers spoke on her experience at the salon: “I worked for the lady who owned the salon for five years, and she had neck surgery last November, so she couldn’t do hair anymore. I took over the salon because we all still needed a place to be and all that fun stuff. I mean, I’ve done it my whole life with my mom, so it was a nice thing to take over.”

Chambers’ mother, Debi Ruppel, has been a hairdresser on Grand Island for Chamber’s whole life. Getting to watch her growing up inspired Chambers to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

Ruppel explained she never saw her daughter taking over, but is happy to see her in “the family business.” Chambers and Ruppel now work at the salon together, doing what they love each day.

The Island Hair Studio and Barbershop would love to continue to give back to the community and hopes to hold a toy drive during the Christmas season.

For more information about the salon, visit www.islandhairstudioandbarbershop.com or call 716-773-2039. The Island Hair Studio and Barbershop is located at 2038 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island.

••••••••

This is a Niagara University student-created piece completed as part of the course CMS 226A. For more information, contact the Niagara Frontier Publications’ managing editor.