'Blankets of Hope' teams up with NJ barbers to offer hair cuts, blankets to those facing homelessness

Each blanket comes with a handwritten note for its recipient, and it's school children who write those loving letters.

News 12 Staff

Dec 4, 2020, 3:51 PM

Updated 1,330 days ago

Share:

Times Square was like a ghost town at the height of the pandemic, but this past Giving Tuesday, it was buzzing again.
Nick and Mike Fio, co-creators of "Blankets of Hope," took to the streets to hand out blankets to those facing homelessness. 
"The secret of living is giving—there's no greater feeling in the world than to be able to give to someone else without expecting anything in return," says Nick Fio. 
But this time was a little different. Alexander Calle, owner of Solutions Barbershop in Jersey City, brought along a pair of barbers to give out fresh cuts for free.
For one man, the kind deed made a unique difference. It was Benjamin's 26th birthday, and he was so grateful for the extra attention barbers Juan and Carina paid to his grooming.
"When someone looks good, they feel good," says Calle. "And when they can feel good, they can be the best version of themselves. And that's the type of energy that we want to give to everyone that we come in contact with."
As the Fio brothers enter their fifth season of giving with Blankets of Hope, they're calling on teachers from all around the world to help them with their mission of donating 40,000 blankets to those in need. Each blanket comes with a handwritten note for its recipient, and it's school children who write those loving letters. Teachers interested in pairing their classrooms with Blankets of Hope can visit their website for more information.



More from News 12
0:32
Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

1:40
Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

1:46
Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

1:08
East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

1:24
G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

1:44
Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

1:43
Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

0:47
Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

0:24
Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

1:44
The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

1:36
Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

1:31
Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

1:41
Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

1:46
YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

0:37
Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

1:14
New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

1:35
Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

1:55
Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

0:29
Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American

Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American