Barbecue helps families prepare for school

Untying the white shoelaces of the suede blue Nike sneakers, Destiny Clinskos, 25, of Hempstead, knelt to help her son, Jamari Mckoy Smith, 8, try them on. Excited that the shoes fit, Clinskos boxed them up and told Steve Muir, founder of Heeling Soles, that they were keepers.

“This is great,” Clinskos said of the Back to School Barbecue, book bag and school supply giveaway last Saturday on Guy Lombardo Avenue in Freeport. “When I came in, I saw all of the wonderful things — school supplies, book bags, shoes and free haircuts given away. This is absolutely helpful, and makes it easier for me when I have back-to-school shopping.”

With the help of community sponsors and the support of County Legislator Kevan Abrahams, TRIMZ Barber Shop hosted its 11th annual community back-to-school giveaway. Over the course of the afternoon, Freeport families received health and wellness resources while enjoying grilled burgers and hot dogs, and TRIMZ’s owner, Freeport native Leon Broughton, and his staff offered free haircuts in anticipation of the new school year.

“I know what it’s like to grow up [limited]. I know what it is to struggle,” Broughton said. “So at the end of the day, for the parents and the kids that need help, as long as, God willing, we can give back, we’ll do as much as we can at TRIMZ.”

Onsite, were an eclectic collection of organizations like Heeling Soles, a nonprofit that gives away new and gently used shoes to those in need. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated of Nassau County donated school supplies for students at all grade levels.

“I appreciate all of the people that got together and did this for the community. We need a lot of that,” said resident Alexis Washington, 24. “Besides the school supplies that are being given out, there’s a lot of information that I could use in my day-to-day.”

The event featured live musical performances as well as games, bounce house and children’s health screenings.