PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Allstar Cuts barbershop in Pittsfield is hosting two days of free haircuts for kids ages 5-17 this week before the start of school.

“This is absolutely unbelievable, Allstar is doing haircuts for 12 hours," said Brenda Petell of Berkshire United Way. "They're being so generous with their time.”

Petell helped Pittsfield Police Officer Darren Derby organize the event with Allstar owner Dievy Diaz. They said Diaz insisted on having the free community event run for two days.

Parents in attendance Tuesday said they’re thankful for the haircuts a week ahead of the first day.

“News was going around the town about getting free haircuts for the kids for school, so I stopped by," said one parent. "I’m greatly appreciative. I don’t have to pay out of pocket for it!”

“He was really excited," said another parent about their son, who got a free cut on Tuesday. "Well at first, he really wasn’t, but then we got here, and he really was excited. I’ll be coming here for touchups all the time now.”

After their haircuts, the kids received a $5 gift card to a local store or restaurant and backpacks were available if they still needed one.

The event compliments a similar “Cut-A-Thon” Officer Derby hosted last week with the help of Four One Three Salon, which gave nearly 100 free haircuts. Petell said free back to school events help during what can be a stressful time for families with kids.

“I think that there are a lot of people that going back to school is a really expensive time of year with clothing and school supplies and backpacks and things like that," Petell said. "So, having an event where kids can get their haircut for free just helps families that really need that extra boost just to get a great haircut, so the kids feel great going back to school and ready to learn.”

Pittsfield Public Schools starts the new year on Thursday, August 31.