Kids of all ages were lined up Tuesday and Wednesday at the Gills and Miles apartments in Bainbridge. They weren’t waiting patiently for ice cream, a new bike or to meet someone famous.

They were waiting to get their hair cut.

Brothers Derrick and James Hutchins own the Barber’s Lounge in Atlanta where they give a hundred haircuts a week. They grew up in Bainbridge, and once a year, they come back down to give free haircuts to youth right before school starts. They also recruit a group of local women to help.

“I just wish that when I was growing up, somebody did this for us,” James said. “I’m from this area, I always believe in giving back. The kids are the most important part of everything. If you show one child that you care, hopefully everyone in the community will follow suit.”

Something as simple as a haircut can make all the difference in the world for a kid, Derrick said, especially in time for the first day of school to give them a little confidence boost before walking in the classroom.

Parents who may not be able to afford to style their child’s hair need not worry. The Hutchins brothers and company have them covered.

“I have a passion for doing hair, and at the same time, I love to see the kids happy,” Bainbridge resident and hair stylist Vickie Allen said as she worked a young girl’s hair. “It’s for parents who can’t afford to get their (kid’s) hair done.”

Local restaurants like Dairy Queen and McDonalds donated coupons for ice cream and other snacks for the kids to grab on their way out. Pizza Hut and Dominos donated pizzas.

Derrick’s favorite part of cutting hair is seeing the kid’s smile when he holds up a mirror to show them their new look.

“The facial expressions when they get through,” he said. “Just the smile that you put on their face. You know that they appreciate it. That’s what makes you do it. We wanted to look that way as well when we were coming up, too. That’s why you give back.”