Ann Berry gets hair done by local MC College student at the Salvation Army in Red Deer on Wednesday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Partnering with MC College

Salvation Army transforms into salon offering free haircuts and manicures to Red Deer community

Sep 20, 2023 | 4:34 PM

The Salvation Army in Red Deer became a bustling salon on Wednesday as they gave free haircuts and manicures to members of the community.

Their second annual event was once again partnered with local MC College students to provide the beauty services at the church and office space (4837 54 St.).

“We absolutely love being here and just helping people in the community. It’s mutually beneficial for our students to get experience as well as people that need a free haircut or a manicure. We’re happy to serve,” said Jillian Miller, Director of Red Deer’s MC College, adding she feels proud of her students who have been great with all the clients in their chairs.

The Salvation Army says the event was advertised in-house to recipients of their hamper program and those who come for free bread and baked goods in the mornings.

“It’s also a way to give back to our community. Many of the individuals that are getting the free haircuts today can’t afford [it]; they cut their own hair, they have their spouse cut their own hair. We have several women who, this is the first time they’ve had a manicure in their life. Last time we had that feedback as well that it was so amazing to be pampered, it was something that they don’t have the opportunity to do or they can afford to do,” said Major Dena Hepditch, co-pastor at the Salvation Army with her husband.

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For the event’s inaugural year in 2022, Taylor Poor, Community Ministries Coordinator for the Salvation Army, said 49 people participated as they had roughly 20 students. While they have 10 hair stylists and estheticians this year, she says they anticipate 30 people to join.

Roughly 30 people visit Red deer’s Salvation Army on Wednesday for free haircuts and manicures by MC College students. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Hepditch says they have seen a variety of clients from men, women, and children of all ages.

She says the event was specifically held on Wednesday afternoon during their typical Community Café hours where members and non-members can gather for socialization, arts and crafts, knitting, and more.

One of those clients is Ann Berry, who came to Canada with her husband 40 years ago from England. Now living in Stettler, she said she was a salvationist in her home country, and wanted to continue here, with the closest location being in Red Deer.

She sat in her chair getting her hair done with her sister, also visiting from England this week.

“It’s great because normally I wouldn’t go and get my hair done because it’s expensive and we’re only on pension and, of course, with prices as they are today, I wouldn’t have my hair done,” she said, adding that she believes many in the community may be in the same boat.

Hepditch says the goal of the Salvation Army is not to segregate those who are in need against those who are less, but to give back to those who give and to help those who can’t.

Poor echoed that sentiment, adding it is a way to bring the community together as a whole.

“We’re really trying to build that sense of community, all walks of life; we don’t just do things for the homeless. One thing we talk about a lot is there’s all different types of poverty, there’s emotional, there’s spiritual poverty, and then there’s the financial,” she said.