Business owners, city employees and more accept certificates of recognition for all the work they did to give back to the community at the third annual back to school event.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — On Oct. 16, Chicopee hosted recognition ceremony at the City Hall Auditorium to honor the community leaders who generously provided free haircuts, braiding, hairstyling and manicures to local students at the third annual back-to-school event hosted on Aug. 25 at Rivers Park.
The initiative was led by Ricardo Diaz, owner of Faded Barber Lounge, and aimed to support students as they prepared to return to school. Over hundreds of haircuts were given and approximately 1,000 backpacks with school supplies were also distributed.
Although Mayor John Vieau acknowledged it was a joint effort, he praised Ricardo Diaz for starting the event a few years ago and proclaimed Oct. 16 as Ricardo Diaz Day in Chicopee.
He said, “Today we celebrate not just an event but the spirit of giving and the power of community. I want to recognize Ricardo Diaz for his incredible commitment to Chicopee. What began as a small back to school event just a few years ago has grown into a vital and impactful tradition and this year alone, with the support of the Chicopee School Department, my office, the Chicopee Police C3 Unit and many other non-profit and for profit entities were able to provide over 300 hundred haircuts and distribute 1,000 backpacks to the children of Chicopee to get ready for school.”
Vieau also thanked every other volunteer and organization who helped made the day what it was.
He said, “The dedication shown by our local community leaders during the back-to-school event at Rivers Park exemplifies the spirit of Chicopee. In times when it’s challenging to find volunteers, their commitment to giving back and supporting our children is something truly special. We hope that recognizing their efforts will inspire others to get involved and continue strengthening our community.”
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly challenging to find volunteers and community leaders willing to lead such initiatives. The rising costs of seemingly everything has also made the financial hardships of households even tougher.
The event helped get kids ready for their first day of school with a fresh look with a new backpack and school supplies.
State Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D-Chicopee) was at the event and talked about the impact of providing these services and supplies.
She said, “Going back to school may be exciting for some but for the most part it’s expensive and a lot of families are struggling so what does it mean to have this event put together by a group of volunteers who just want to make sure kids have essentials and the basics. It makes the difference for a kid when they have to go to school, and they don’t have any supplies. It makes them not want to be in school, it makes them act up, it makes them want to drop out. It’s not because they don’t want to learn but because of the bullying, they don’t have what the other kids have. Having a fresh haircut on the first day of school is a reason to be excited to be excited and go to school, a backpack with one folder and notebook will make them stay in school.”
Diaz shared his appreciation for the recognition and talked about why he does this event.
He said, “It is a privilege to put together the back-to-school event and give back to the community, but most importantly our youth. I want to take the moment to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you that took part. Your dedication and efforts made the difference. Knowing that I am able to do something to offer students confidence to start their school year and seeing their faces light up as they gear up for the new school year gives me the energy to keep growing this event to be able to offer our children more opportunities every school year. This recognition is an honor and I hope it’s an inspiration to others to help make an impact in their own way.”
Throughout the ceremony, many people involved said the event will return again next year “bigger and better.”
Diaz and others received official citations of congratulation from the city and state House of Representatives and Senate.
