by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Tammy Zierden firmly believes some people tend to forget that people “right here at home” could use a helping hand as well as people in other countries.
That is why she decided to open her Headlines Salon & Spa in Sartell for free haircuts for people who are struggling with homelessness. The surprised and appreciative clients ranged from a 3-year-old boy all the way up to people nearing 60.
The idea began when one of Headlines’ clients, Sartell resident Nancy Dyson, mentioned the work her church does on behalf of homeless people in the greater St. Cloud area.
Zierden decided it would be wonderful for her and three of her stylists to shampoo and cut hair for the better part of a day as a gift to the homeless people. Dyson and other volunteers contacted the people in need and then arranged to transport them to and from Headlines. There were about 25 of them, about an equal split between men and women.
“We did some coloring, too, for the women,” Zierden said.
By “we,” she meant herself and three stylists: Marissa Haus (Zierden’s daughter) Brittany Malikowski and Amy Rivier.
Working nonstop, they began cutting and styling at noon last Sunday and finished at about 5 p.m.
“They were so surprised we opened our doors to them,” Zierden said. “They made us a very nice card of thanks. It was a good feeling to do that for them. So much help needs to be done. People go overseas to help, which is fine, but help is needed here, too. I would be happy to do that again.”
Zierden said she was surprised to learn about the varied backgrounds of homeless people. Some of them live out of their vehicles; some live temporarily at Place of Hope in St. Cloud; others just roust out sleeping areas where they can, such as at various churches.
Some, she said, had been laid low by health issues. One woman, Zierden noted, had undergone surgery, which did not turn out well, making her wheelchair-bound, causing her to lose her job after which a series of disasters small and large forced her to become homeless. Yet another woman decided to care for her sister’s two children, plus her own two, and then circumstances plunged them into homelessness. The 3-year-old boy who got the haircut was one of those children.
Zierden, born and raised on a farm near Sartell, has owned and operated her Headlines Spa & Salon for 20 years, the first five years in Sauk Rapids, the last 15 years in Sartell.
The four Headlines Salon & Spa stylists who spent a good part of a day giving free haircuts for homeless people are (left to right) Brittany Malikowski, Marissa Haus, Headlines salon owner/stylist Tammy Zierden and Amy Revier. Haus is the daughter of Zierden.
