SULPHUR, Okla. — Hundreds of children and families gathered at the Faith Center Church Family Life Center in Sulphur on Aug. 3 for the annual Cuts for Kids Back-to-School Bash, an event focused on helping Murray County students begin the new school year feeling confident, prepared and supported.
Hosted and organized by Painted Pretty Salon & Spa Suites, this year’s “Back-to-School World Tour ’26” brought together stylists, barbers, nurses, local businesses, organizations and volunteers to provide a wide range of free services and resources.
Brittany Osornio of Painted Pretty has helped spearhead the annual event, working to bring community members together each year to make it possible.
“Although Painted Pretty organizes and hosts the event, Cuts for Kids is truly a collective community effort,” Osornio said. “People from every part of the community come together, offer what they can and simply choose to serve the children of Murray County.”
Stylists and barbers from throughout the area donated free back-toschool haircuts, while nurses and other volunteers helped with head checks, registration, food, supplies and assisting families throughout the evening.
Children and families also received backpacks, food, drinks, hygiene essentials, household supplies and access to family and community resources — all at no cost. Face painting, hair tinsel, cookies, music, games, giveaways, activity stations and a bounce house added to the celebration.
For organizers, making the event fun for children is just as important as providing necessities.
“Some of these kids may not have many opportunities to go to activities or special outings during the summer,” Osornio said. “We want this to be something exciting for them — a night that is welcoming, fun and centered around the kids.”
The need for that support was evident as hundreds arrived and the line of families stretched around the building.
“You really see the level of need when the families start arriving and the line wraps around the building,” Osornio said. “It becomes a reminder of how many families in our community need — and appreciate — that little bit of extra support.”
Cuts for Kids was created to help ease some of the financial pres- A student gets a haircut at the annual Cuts for Kids Back-to-School Bash, held August 3 at the Faith Center Church in Sulphur.
sure that comes with preparing children for a new school year while giving students a chance to start school feeling their best.
“We want to help take some of that financial stress off families while also helping these kids walk into school feeling fresh, confident, prepared and cared for,” Osornio said.
From those donating professional services to businesses providing supplies and individuals volunteering wherever needed, the event has become an example of what can happen when a community rallies around its children.
Those interested in volunteering, donating, sponsoring or becoming involved in future Cuts for Kids events may contact Painted Pretty Salon & Spa Suites at (580) 260-0022.
