Old Familiar Barber Shop in Columbus is hosting its annual Haircut Marathon to benefit charity.
The shop on Parsons Avenue in Olde Towne East has been hosting the event event for six years. From 10 a.m. to midnight on Monday, barbers cut and style clients' hair - just in time for the holidays.
Barber shop co-owner Josh Wilbur says this year, people are donating personal hygiene products like shampoo, soap and toothpaste. The gifts go to the Gladden Community House.
“We just drum up a bunch of business so everyone's clients bring in multiple things,” Wilbur explains. “In the past we've done thousands of different canned food items. This year they asked us since we have a big donation usually to do the hygiene.”
The barber shop expects to see up to 500 clients and collect thousands of donations by the marathon's end at midnight. Every barber in the shop expects to see 20 to 25 clients today.
Client Chris Flickinger was happy to participate in the charity effort for the first time today.
“I'm here today for a couple of reasons,” Flickinger says. “Obviously I need a haircut, but more importantly they do this drive every year, at least the years I’ve been here, and it's for a good cause so it's time to give back.”
A Santa Claus actor will join the festivities at 8 p.m. Wilbur says a lot of clients hang out after making their donations.
