Since 2010, Andy’s Barber Shop has been a fixture on Rockaway Avenue, serving residents with quality grooming services. But beyond the everyday cuts and shaves, the barbershop has become a place where community values and respect for service come to life, especially on Veterans Day.
For the second consecutive year, owner Anderson Vargas hosted a special event at his barbershop, offering free haircuts to veterans in recognition of their sacrifices for the country. This initiative reflects Vargas’s deep-rooted commitment to Valley Stream, a community he both lives in and serves professionally.
“I’m always thinking about my community,” Vargas said. “I’m not a selfish person. I’ll always want to see my community grow, and if I can do it in any way, I will always do it.”
The idea for the Veterans Day event stems from more than just business goodwill. Vargas has many close friends who have served in various branches of the U.S. military. These personal relationships give him a firsthand appreciation of the challenges and sacrifices faced by those in uniform. His experiences with these friends, combined with his sense of responsibility to the community, motivated him to organize a day to honor veterans through a simple yet meaningful gesture: a free haircut.
The event is more than grooming — it’s a symbol of gratitude and recognition. While Vargas did not keep an exact count of how many veterans participated, he confirmed that a significant number took advantage of the offer. In addition to the haircuts, Vargas purchased food from Ferring Catering and Delicatessen in Baldwin to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for those who came.
“All the barbers knew, I told them about it,” Vargas said. “I told them that this is once a year, and we have to think about what the veterans do for us, and what they have done in the past, the ones that serve now, the ones that have served for our country.”
Vargas sees this event as a meaningful tradition that will continue each Veterans Day, reinforcing the shop’s ongoing commitment to giving back to those who have served.
Beyond the immediate impact on veterans, the event plays a broader role in fostering community unity. Vargas sees a need in Valley Stream to better acknowledge and appreciate veterans, who he feels are sometimes overlooked or taken for granted.
“I want them to know that some people do take them into consideration and acknowledge what they have done for our country,” Vargas said.
By creating a visible, inclusive event, Vargas hopes to encourage others in the village to join in acts of recognition and service, helping to build a more connected and supportive community.
The barbershop serves as more than just a place to get a haircut. It acts as a gathering spot where all can come together. The Veterans Day event highlights this role by bringing people from different generations and backgrounds into a shared space of respect and gratitude. Vargas noted the importance of seeing families, including mothers and children — participate alongside veterans, strengthening communal bonds and providing a heartwarming experience for all involved.
This initiative is part of a larger pattern of community involvement for Vargas. He has also hosted free haircut events for children returning to school, recognizing that such acts of kindness can make a tangible difference in people’s lives. These efforts reflect his philosophy of giving back whenever possible and using his business as a platform for positive change.
Looking ahead, Vargas aims for Andy’s Barber Shop to continue setting an example within Valley Stream. His vision is for the business to be more than just a commercial establishment, but a source of community pride and a catalyst for bringing people together.
For Vargas, the significance of the event lies in the feeling it creates, not only for the veterans who receive free haircuts but for the entire community that comes together in appreciation. The barbershop’s role in this is clear: it’s a local business that recognizes its responsibility to honor those who have served and to inspire ongoing community involvement.
By continuing this tradition, Andy’s Barber Shop reminds Valley Stream residents that small acts of kindness and acknowledgment can have a meaningful impact.
