MADISON, Wis. — Before kids head back to school, a special effort is aiming to help them look and feel their best.

After stopping operations for COVID-19, the 14th annual “Back 2 School Free Haircutz” tradition is back.

“It’s gonna be new for a lot of the kids to have a nice cut and unmask and be in school and be close to people... and I just enjoy being part of it,” JP Hair Design owner JP Patterson said.

Pulled together in just 3 weeks, the event hosts 30 barbers from the Madison area for 500 free haircuts.

Among this year’s barbers is a first-time participant, Berry Colar. He said it was an honor to help make this day a reality.

“You know a lot of kids can’t afford haircuts around this time, so it’s a real blessing to the community,” Colar said.

The free event honors the legacy of the late Taylor “Smitty” Smith, Madison’s first Black barber and Patterson’s mentor.

“So I’m trying to pay it forward. You know, somebody taught me and, you know, I’m able to teach others,” he said.

Up-and-coming barber Isiah Valdes is also working at the event for the first time. He said the day is deeply personal. When he was 16 years old, Valdes was a scholarship recipient at the event.

“I remember... getting the opportunity to receive this scholarship, to be able to do the apprenticeship, and also being at the event since the age of 15. I just feel like JP has opened up a lot of doors for me, and for a lot of other people starting off in this industry,” Valdes said.

Patterson said this potential impact was the reason he decided to offer two more Madison College barber apprenticeship scholarships that will be given away at the event.

“You can do big things, and it helps the community,” Patterson said as he paired his clippers with some kindness.

The free event happens Sunday, Aug. 28 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will also feature Madison native and Bucks player Wesley Matthews.