Lauren Harchut
Staff Writer
The La Verne Sports Clips is one of many locations that has partnered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to help veterans and service members make the transition back into civilian life, through their Help A Hero program.
In 2013, the Sports Clips chain began working with the VFW to create the national Help A Hero campaign and has raised $1.2 million since.
The program helps provide scholarships for active-duty service members and veterans that can be used at post-secondary schools and trade schools.
“Our founder and CEO himself is a veteran so we are very invested in our military,” La Verne Sports Clips Manager Arif Taj said.
Help A Hero has become a yearly program that begins in October and runs until Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Throughout the month, donations can be made to the program at any Sports Clips location. All of the proceeds go toward veteran scholarships.
“We’ve reached half of our goal which is awesome,” La Verne Sports Clips hairstylist Dana Ceja said. “I think it is such a positive fundraiser that really helps bring a community together.”
To finish off the month of donations, most Sports Clips locations host events on Veterans Day where any active-duty U.S. service member or veteran can get a free haircut with proof of service.
“It’s so nice when a company realizes the sacrifices active military or veterans have made and want to give something back,” Navy veteran Eric Morales said.
“Specifically, giving back to our schooling because G.I. Bills run out but scholarships can fill that void.”
On Veterans Day, $1 from each haircut will also be donated to the program.
This year the event will take place at the Sports Clips in La Verne, Upland, Glendora and Rancho Cucamonga.
Lauren Harchut can be reached at lauren.harchut@laverne.edu.
