Jenna Kakley Law Firm News

A fresh haircut. A new backpack. School supplies ready to go! That was the scene at Elevate Salon & Co. in Punta Gorda on Sunday, August 2, when local families came out for the 3rd Annual Back 2 School Cutz.

Organized by Mikey Conti, the event brought together barbers, stylists, volunteers, local businesses, sponsors, and community organizations for an afternoon focused on helping kids get ready for the new school year.

Local coverage reported that over 90 children received free hair services during the event! Families also had access to backpacks, school supplies, food, activities, and educational resources.

More Than a Fresh Haircut

Inside Elevate Salon & Co., multiple haircut stations stayed busy throughout the afternoon.

Outside, families moved between tables filled with backpacks and school supplies, food and activity tents, and booths from participating businesses and community organizations.

The event was organized to include free hair services, backpacks, school supplies, food and drinks, hair tinsel, face painting, games, raffles, music, and information about tutoring and Step Up programs.

Barbers and Stylists Donated Their Time and Talent

A big part of the day came down to people simply showing up and putting their skills to work.

Mikey Conti publicly thanked Jowie Nieves, Jobahny Nieves, Rudolph Laurent, Will Maldonado, Lauren Kralik, and Stephanie St George for helping provide hair services and support the event.

Some traveled to participate. Others gave up a day off. Stephanie also helped with setup, supplies, braiding materials, tinsel, and hair services. Lauren helped host the event at Elevate Salon & Co. while also working through a busy day of haircuts.

That kind of effort is what made the afternoon possible.

Local Businesses and Community Partners Joined In

Elevate Salon & Co. served as the host location for the event.

Culver’s returned as a sponsor for the third year in a row, with its team and mascot on site during the afternoon.

KingCretot Experience also participated with information about tutoring and homeschool support.

Florida State Tree Service & Landscaping and All Injuries Law Firm were among the local supporters connected with the event.

Together, those businesses and organizations helped create more than a haircut event. Families could move from hair services to school supplies, food, activities, and other resources in one place.

A Busy Afternoon in Punta Gorda

Photos from the event show just how much was happening at once.

Inside the salon, several barbers and stylists were working at different stations.

Outside, families gathered around school-supply tables and tents while kids picked out backpacks, visited activity areas, and spent time with the businesses and volunteers who came out to help.

The event took place at Elevate Salon & Co., 24650 Sandhill Boulevard, Unit 405, Punta Gorda, Florida 33983.

Thank You to Everyone Who Made the Day Possible

The 3rd Annual Back 2 School Cutz worked because a lot of people contributed something different.

Some cut hair. Some brought supplies. Some provided food. Some helped with activities. Others volunteered their time, space, or business resources.

All Injuries Law Firm was proud to be one of the local organizations supporting the event, but the credit belongs to the organizers, professionals, volunteers, sponsors, businesses, and families who came together and made it a great afternoon.

"What stood out to us was how many people were willing to contribute their time, skills and resources to help local kids start the school year on a positive note. We were proud to support Back 2 School Cutz and to be one small part of a much bigger community effort. Seeing families leave with fresh haircuts, backpacks, school supplies and smiles made it clear how much an event like this can mean."

— Attorney Corbin Sutter, All Injuries Law Firm

Thank you to Mikey Conti, Elevate Salon & Co., the participating barbers and stylists, Culver’s, Florida State Tree Service & Landscaping, KingCretot Experience, and every volunteer and community partner who helped make the 2026 Back 2 School Cutz possible.

"A special thank you also goes to Sarah Miner of All Injuries Law Firm, who worked with the event organizers and helped support the coordination behind the scenes. Events like this take a lot of people working together, and Sarah was glad to be part of that effort."

— Attorney Brian Sutter, All Injuries Law Firm

And thank you to the Punta Gorda and Charlotte County families who came out and made the event what it was.