DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — More than 1,000 Wiregrass children are heading into the new school year with confidence thanks to the fourth annual “Kicks and Cuts” event hosted by Church of the Crossing.
“This is our fourth annual event and our second time hosting it at the Dothan Civic Center,” said Pastor John Dowdy. “We helped over 1,000 kids today. Last year was about the same. It all started with just a couple hundred four years ago, and thanks to generous sponsors and local businesses, we’ve been able to grow it each year.”
What began as a small outreach with a few barbers and donated school supplies has become a large-scale community effort. This year, children received high-quality brand-name shoes—many sporting Nikes and Jordans—and free professional haircuts.
“The goal of this event is simple,” Dowdy said. “We want kids to walk into school on the first day with a fresh haircut and a new pair of shoes. It does something for their dignity and confidence. And it helps take pressure off families who may be struggling financially—especially single parents with multiple kids.”
Inclusivity was also a priority. This year’s setup featured a sensory-friendly room and barbers trained to work with children with special needs.
“We had two barbers specifically there to do haircuts for kids with sensory sensitivities,” Dowdy said. “For some of them, it was the first time they’d ever gotten a haircut from a barber. We wanted it to feel safe and calm, so we created a separate sensory space for them.”
Dowdy said the idea behind the event is personal to him—and spiritual.
“When I was a kid, getting a haircut and a new pair of shoes before school started meant everything. It made me feel ready. And in scripture, when you put on the full armor of God, one of those pieces is the shoes of peace. That stuck with me. Our prayer this year was that these kids could walk into school with peace.”
With community partnerships continuing to grow, Church of the Crossing hopes to expand the event even further in the years to come.
