A few good men

A FAITH IN ACTION Barber A.D Culler of Canton gives McKinley High School senior Andre Toles' hair an artistic flourish on Friday as part of an outreach by Men of Faith in Action. The faith-based men's group offered free haircuts at Timken High School to dozens of boys heading to prom tonight.

REPOSITORY SCOTT HECKEL

CANTON The buzz coming from Timken High School's cosmetology department on Friday was more than from the electric clippers.

On what would normally be one of his busiest days at his own shop, barber A.D. Culler was turning a haircut into a work of art.

"That's hot," said one young observer.

Culler, and fellow barbers Lamont Jackson, Jack Dusick and Gill McNeill donated their skills to give free haircuts to several dozen boys attending prom tonight.

It's one of several acts of service that Men of Faith in Action have performed in the community. The faith-based outreach was launched this year by former Timken head football coach Steve Turner and Culler, one of Turner's assistant coaches.

"When I decided to leave Timken, A.D. encouraged me to stay involved in the community," Turner recalled. "At that time I was doing some soul-searching ... drawing closer to God."

The group has provided free haircuts to hundreds of boys at various venues and sporting events, most recently a basketball tournament at the Southeast Community Center and at LeBron James' AAU tournament in Akron.

"We want to be more than about free haircuts, but you start with what you got," Turner said. "Youth is our passion, but our motto is, we're going to serve wherever we can."

"It's a good way to give back," Culler said. "There's something we all can give."

For the outgoing and friendly Culler, his barber's chair often serves as a place of counsel for young men. "A lot of times in barbershops, you'll hear guys saying 'What needs to be done is ...' Spiritually, I felt God was telling me, 'Why don't you do something?' " he said.

"I think this is wonderful," said Timken cosmetology instructor Mindi Berlin. "It's so nice of them to do this for young men. Girls will come down here, but we don't get a lot of boys."

"It's very much appreciated," said Joe Payne, 18, who was there for a haircut and to make a video for PEACE TV.

"He's (Culler's) doing this out of the goodness of his heart. He's a master barber, one of the baddest in Ohio."

Turner said although the group is Christian, "Anybody is welcome. We're not trying to circumvent churches, but we're trying to (pull) the churches together to get involved in the community. The hope is we can do that not through teaching or preaching, but by action that models Christ."

Friday's event was sponsored by the Mike Doss Foundation and S&A Beauty Supply.

For information. call (330) 455-7467, or visit www.menoffaithinaction.org

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Readers' Comments

Tanohoa Yvette Turpin-Wheeler - 10:03 PM on May 4, 2008
Job Well Done Baby Brother, your family sends you love and support. I pray for your continued success. I am so proud of your heart felt contribution to the community, the kind service that you've provided is so very much needed and appreciated I'm sure. Mommy would be so very proud. Keep up the good work AD and may your efforts continue to be blessed! Love Your Oldest Sister Yvette

mary parker - 10:06 AM on May 5, 2008
What a great thing to do. God bless all of you Our young people need more examples of this so when they reach adulthood, they too might be willing to GIVE instead of SEEKING.

Doug Fark - 11:56 AM on May 5, 2008
I agree. It is much better to give than to be a drain on society and taxpayers.

Jennifer Podis - 4:47 PM on May 5, 2008
It looks like one of the aliases didn't read the story. Where did it say anything about draining society?

Margaret Dowdell - 5:43 PM on May 5, 2008
I read the story again and still can not find anything about draining society. Mr. F, where did you see this??

Cath Erine - 7:35 PM on May 5, 2008
^5 Jenn

mary parker - 10:44 AM on May 6, 2008
If this had been a picture of a White barber shop, and a story of White barbers donating their time helping White students for the prom, it wouldn't have invoked a comment about the taxpayers. That's barf for you.. You can change a name, but the ugliness is always a dead giveaway. It might look like a pug puppy, but it's dog, and it's enough to make you barf,. Some people can't stand to see someone doing something good without being sarcastic. Where do you think the money comes from that helps those in need. It doesn't all come from income tax you know. Property taxes and sales taxes, which I pay, helps you, helps your grand kids that go to school, so get off your judgmental throne honey, you don't do it all by yourself. I help pay for those roads the VW's are always on. Also sounds a little racist to me, inferring that Blacks are always on the welfare rolls, or not taxpayers. And of course other readers won't see the racism in it.

Don Cirelli - 12:20 PM on May 6, 2008
I think these guys are great. It's wonderful that these men are stepping up and providing a positive role model for kids in their neighborhood (and throughout the city, if this article is any indication). There is lots of speculation about the cause of delinquency. But I believe the black community, and every community, needs men who will take an interest in young people. It absolutely makes a difference. A young man who is now in his thirties recently told me that I saved his life by mentoring him when he was a young delinquent . Keep those haircuts coming!

Doug Fark - 1:07 PM on May 6, 2008
I think you have me confused with someone else. Doug Fark

Jennifer Podis - 3:08 PM on May 6, 2008
Racist remarks are an indication of a lack of intellect and are very draining to the readers of these types of remarks.

marcia moses - 4:37 PM on May 6, 2008
It is sad when someone does so much good and someone always tries to ruin it for them. This person, whoever they are ( I have a good guess) is a hateful individul. Great story, bless you.

Maria Muhleman - 10:01 PM on May 6, 2008
AWESOME! Pats on the back all around gents for donations of time and service! I look forward to hearing more about the good works this group does within the Canton community!

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