A fresh new look to start a new school year with Olga's Hair Salon

All the kids in Flagler County prepare for the new school year to start Monday, Aug. 24. For many this entails a new wardrobe, haircut and school supplies. Olga Hernandez, owner of Olga’s Hair Salon, is helping those who might need some extra help.

As a member to FPLN, or Beacon to the Nations Church, she made a promise to God to help others in need within her community. On Wednesday, Aug. 19, she helped six women and seven children from the Battered Women’s Shelter get fresh new haircuts, as well as 28 children. All the kids got free back-to-school haircuts.

“Paying it forward is what it’s all about.”
— Olga Hernandez

This is the second free haircut day Hernandez has held in her new salon, and her fifth-annual back-to-school haircut event.

Hernandez decided to become a professional hair stylist in honor of her mother’s death in 2009. Her mother held a legacy as a superb hairdresser. Hernandez's daughter, Emilly Gonzales, wishes to peruse the same passion for hair dressing when she reaches adulthood. Heading into fourth grade at Rymfire Elementary School, she helps her mother in the family salon.

The salon opened in March last year at 269 Old Moody Blvd., next to the Flagler County Airport. This year, Penn Walker, the general manager from the Publix at Florida Park Drive and Palm Coast Parkway, donated sandwiches and snacks for the all-day event. The local Domino’s also donated several boxes of pizza for the women and children who came and went throughout the day.

Hernandez hopes to increase the number of women and children she can help every year. She hopes that eventually other local hair salons and stylists will be interested in joining the cause.