LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Two barbershops are giving Santa a little backup this Christmas, each running their own toy drive to spread some holiday cheer to local kids, just two miles apart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know there\u2019s a lot of local food drives and stuff that provides meals. I know they did on Thanksgiving and Christmas as well. We didn\u2019t have a big enough fridge for food,\u201d Jimmy Ritchie said.<\/p>\n
So instead, Jimmy and the team at 82nd Street Barbershop at 3410 82nd Street found another way to help Santa out, by filling their shop with toys.<\/p>\n
They started planning back in November, teaming up with groups like REACH; and now, more than 300 toys later, they\u2019ve passed their goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cKids don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on in the outside world. They don\u2019t understand. They wake up, they won\u2019t understand why there\u2019s not toys underneath the tree. I feel like if we can prevent them waking up Christmas morning and not having anything we\u2019ll do anything we can to help,\u201d Ritchie said.<\/p>\n
Jimmy\u2019s been cutting hair in the area for four years and said the way people look out for each other here made him want to give that same care back, with donations staying local, including to the Texas Boys and Girls Ranch.<\/p>\n
Their deadline is December 20 to make sure Santa doesn\u2019t miss a single stop.<\/p>\n
Across town, the story looks a little different. At 34th Street Barbershop at 2851 34th Street, owner Marcella Perez is also hosting her first-ever toy drive after hearing something that stuck with her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like it eases their mind with everything they\u2019re going through, kind of help a little bit with stress because this is a stressful time. If I can help a little bit in any way, I would love to,\u201d Perez said.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s been open five years and after hearing clients talk about how hard it\u2019s been to keep up with rising costs, and wishing Christmas came a few weeks later, she decided to step in.<\/p>\n
Right now, they only have two gifts, but Marcella said even that means something.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything, at this point; anything is a blessing for anybody. Rather it be 2, 4, 6, 8 even 10. Just want to bless someone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Both shops are offering discounted haircuts for anyone who brings an unwrapped toy, hoping more will join in before the December 20 deadline.<\/p>\n
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