For Emmanuel Lopez, cutting hair is a way to connect with Veterans and give back to those who served. “Manny” has been providing haircuts the past six months to Veterans living in the Wilmington VA Community Living Center.
“Manny” shaves Veteran Charles Coover’s beard.
The idea started when Pat Clark, Wilmington VA volunteer and member of Elks Lodge 2281, thought the Veterans could use some more pampering. Clark reached out to his Elks Lodge and spoke with the Veterans Canteen Service and Center for Development and Civic Engagement to determine how they could partner up and offer free haircuts.
“The Elks Lodge agreed to pay for the haircuts and the medical center schedules the barber to come in,” Clark said. “Manny does the haircuts right here in the hospital. It’s a great program for the Veterans.”
“Fun to meet them and hear their stories.”
Clark says the goal is to ensure Veterans have everything they need and that they’re treated with respect and dignity. Lopez says he enjoys getting to know the Veterans and hearing their stories.
“I’ll talk to them and give them a good haircut. I like coming here. I like to give back and it’s fun for me to meet new people and get to know them and hear their stories,” he said.
“Great feeling to make the simplest things possible.”
Clark said that feedback from Veterans has been very positive and well received. “I always follow up with them afterward and have had nothing but positive comments about Manny and the service,” he said.
Haircuts for the Community Living Center Veterans are just part of the generosity Clark and his team at the Elks Lodge offer. Each are paid for out of a fund Clark created which they also use for birthday parties and other gatherings during the year.
“We sponsor all types of events here at Wilmington VA, and we provide Welcome Home kits if Veterans are moving from the hospital back to their home. It’s a great feeling to make the simplest things possible for Veterans,” he added.
Topics in this story
More Stories
VA’s new surge initiative aims to find unsheltered Veterans by meeting them where they are and fast-tracking their access to housing and care.
VA Houston recently kicked off construction on a brand-new outpatient clinic in Beaumont. This state-of-the-art facility will be nearly double the size of the current Beaumont clinic and will offer Veterans a comprehensive range of health care services.
Army Veteran Christina Wagner turned her life around thanks to the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, which identifies justice-involved Veterans and facilitates their access to VA services as early as possible.
Thank you Pat Clark and the Elks Lodge 2281 for giving p my fellow veterans a free haircut ?♂️. I’m a Vietnam (70-71) and a Desert Storm Veteran (90-91). SSG, U.S. Army
I would like a real close shave and a haircut. What would the cost be?? I prefer Northeast El Paso
I met the man who gave all his barber equipment to this shop. He has passed on now but see his wife LN the summer what story’s she can tell. I live in PA. Now but really enjoy the VA there i used to drive for American League #28 every Tuesday
Thank you ? for Helping Veterans look good,because when you look good you feel good and you do better.