Stylists 'clip' to help fund AIDS Athens

Great turnout 'unexpected'

By: MELISSA WEINMAN

Posted: 2/15/08

Turnout for Thursday's AIDS Athens fundraiser, Clips for a Cause, was "mind blowing," said Jeff Muhleman, the AIDS Walk/Run Athens fund-raising chair.

The event featured stylists from nine Athens salons offering $10 haircuts to the University community.

The money raised from the event directly benefits AIDS Athens, the only AIDS facility in northeast Georgia.

AIDS Walk/Run Athens volunteers said the high turnout was unexpected, and the event, which lasted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., sold out by 1 p.m.

"By 9:15, 30 people showed up," Muhleman said.

There is no final count on the money raised from the event, but estimates predict $1,000.

"Close to 100 people got their hair cut," said Ana Prado, secretary of AIDS Walk/Run Athens.

Julie Anne Franklin, a senior from Rome, said she heard about the event from friends and was excited about the event and the cause. A Dree & Co. stylist cut Franklin's hair.

Franklin got "layers and a trim - and it's going to a great cause," she said. "And I love the fact that I could've gotten a cut for $10."

Tyler Russell, a senior from Atlanta, said a friend sent him information about the event on Facebook.

"I usually go back to Atlanta to get my hair cut," Russell said.

He said he participated because of the cause and his need for haircut.

Clips for a Cause was held in room 145 of the Tate Student Center, and rows of students lined the hallways waiting for their turn.

Muhleman said students gave "incredible support" and waited hours without complaint.

He said some students left a donation even though they were unable to get a haircut.

Shane Davis, the cut and color specialist from Republic Salon who cut Russell's hair, said many hair cuts were more time-consuming in Tate because there were no sinks available. Stylists used spray bottles to wet clients' hair.

"It takes a long time to spray it," he said.

The AIDS Walk/Run Athens will take place March 1, and all money raised will benefit AIDS Athens.

"Hopefully it will exceed our expectations like this did," said Zerine Kurian, a member of the Walk/Run public relations committee.