Burlington Hairstylist Surprised for Years of Free Haircuts

Arezoo Hejazi spends her Friday mornings at Wellington Square Church cutting hair for free. The people in her chair are often experiencing homelessness, seniors living on low incomes, or others going through a hard stretch.

She works alongside the church's Community Food Program, and she takes the time to get to know the people she helps. That is what got noticed. Angela Barraclough nominated her for a BurlingtonToday Random Act of Kindness, saying Hejazi "goes above and beyond in her kindness and dedication to those more vulnerable in our community" and makes sure every guest feels seen.

The surprise happened at the church, in front of the community she volunteers with. Hejazi had been asked to come in early to help with a storage area. "I never expected to walk into such a lovely surprise," she said. "I was honestly touched and didn't know what to say!" She was given gift cards for Burlington Centre and Beauty Supply Outlet, a bouquet of flowers and an amaryllis plant.

Hejazi arrived in Canada four years ago, and she was doing this long before she got here, setting aside one day every month with her staff to cut hair in communities that needed it. "I love what I do, and if I can use my skills to help someone who might not otherwise have the opportunity to get a haircut, it makes me happy," she said.

She works six days a week and still keeps Friday mornings for the church.