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Rising from Ruin is an on-going MSNBC.com special report chronicling two coastal Mississippi towns, Bay St. Louis and Waveland, as they rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

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Hairdresser Debbie Morton, a church volunteer from Chicago, cuts the hair of Reverend Frank Kendrick in the Kmart parking lot in Waveland.

Morton joined six students from the Vanguard College of Cosmetology in Slidell, La., and two other professional hairstylists in giving free haircuts on Sunday afternoon. The crew performed 97 haircuts in four hours.

Click "play" above to hear student Randall Watts talk about the role of hairdressing in helping people recover from disaster.

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48 COMMENTS

I praise you for this great idea!

I think this is awesome. I don't know about anyone else, but getting my hair cut raises my spirits and gives me a renewed sense of confidence - something that many Katrina victims could use right now.

What a fabulous and generous idea. Kudos to those who volunteered their time to help these survivors.

Anyone freely giving their time and providing a service while asking for nothing in return should be greatly appreciated. I think this is awesome and a great way to make people feel a little better about themselves, even if only for a short time.

As the events and aftermath of the natural disasters of the past year fade from the national spotlight - the needs of the people in these areas will remain.
Thanks to all who continue to volunteer time and resources.

It's a liberating feeling getting a haircut. I commend you all for do this.

Nice idea. Nothing like feeling good about yourself to feel a little bit better about your situation. It it no way helps your day to day - just give you a lift in spirits.

I truly believe that this is a true act of kindness.

I to am a cosmetologist and this is a grand way of helping lift spirits to those in need,which I have also done for free. It is true, getting your hair done gives u a renewed sense of confidence,putting a smile on your face, giving to one another the true meaning of being part of the American family we are.

What a great thing to do! When everthing has litterly fallen down around you, dark roots and shaggy locks only make you feel worse! It's not about vanity, it's about self worth and some sense of dignity.

Very inventive way to help others! I know to those you have given this special treat, it means alot to know that others care. Kindness means so much, and helps lift your spirit. Great work!!

Thank you for being so wonderful to people in need.

a simple haircut is just another thing we take for granted until you can't get one. What a great idea !

If we all took he natural talents and graces God has given to us and donated to those in need...what a wonderful world this would be. We should do it, as I am trying to teach my children, because it is the right thing to do.

What an encouragement! God will bless you mightily.

Please know that you will be blessed in return for your kind deeds for these people.

Why do we all feel the need to wait until something bad happens to do something good for one another? This is indeed an act of great cpmpassion and kindness. I think we should all offer to give just for the sake of giving. There are many needs that go unmet every single day.

Thank you for renewing some of my faith in mankind today.

This is a wonderful idea. I salute you all for giving people something that will make them feel better about self. To do this for free was a gift to them but I'm sure a Blessing to you. Your fee will come back 10 fold, just wait and see.

Thankyou, for lifting the spirits of those who have been through so much.

What about donating the hair to cancer patients?

Bless you for your selfless act of kindness!!!

God bless you all for your kindness.

What a wonderful gift to people in need! May God bless you and all the thousands of others who have given so unselfishly to help the people of Mississippi. We will be forever grateful.

This is a wonderful example of people giving of themselves using thier own personal talents.

Thank you for setting the example! Our children can learn from this tragedy that we can do for others when they can't. Since we have read this article it is now our responsibility to do a good turn for someone else in need. Pass it on!!

Wow, that is a wonderful thing, I agree with the comment regarding a Hair cut being uplifting. God Bless!

I'll bet FEMA wishes they had thought of that...

You are all so awesome! In the wake of the Government failing these people, you all came and gave them something to feel good about, even if it was just for the day.

GREAT IDEA ! MAKES A PERSON FEEL BETTER WHEN THEY ARE GROOMED. BLESS ALL OF YOU !

You all are "a cut above!" What a novel and heartwarming thing to do, to help Katrina victims. I commend you for giving your time and services to help those who could really use a lift right now.

As a red cross mass care volunteer at the Reliant Park shelters (Astrodome) in Houston just after Katrina, a number of local hairdressers spent many days giving free haircuts, shampoos and manicures to our residence with no fanfare. What a joy it was to see the smiles on faces of those with new doo's. Such small things make such a big difference everyday. The next biggest difference was being able to wash your clothes. Thank God for what you have on Thanksgiving.

Thats just too cool. Everyone needs to feel good about themselves, inside and out regardless of what is happening around them. Good for you!

that was a wonderful idea to do that but u should deffinitally do it again

Kudos to you and all that helped with this....
It is a great feeling to see the smiles on the faces of these people..and the spirits that were lifted on that day....

God Bless...

It is the little things we do for others that can mean so much!!!Thank-you for thinking of such a great way to make a diffrence!!!

you are very cool!

Wonderful! A brief moment of normalicy in a world turned upside down!

Just remember when one door closes another one opens. God bless those who were willing to donate the time and effort to rekindle the spirits of those in need.

As the holidays approach us and people will become too wrapped up in their own lives, it is so nice to hear there are people who are still willing and ready to help the victims of the Hurricanes!It is people like you who are the true angels and spirit of the holidays who always are willing to do for others. What a lovely Story.

There is nothing like a little bit of human touch to show someone cares. The simple act of someone offering a haircut to someone that has lost everything just reminds me that people do care about one another and the sprit of community is still alive.

God gives each of us special skills and talents! It is wonderful to hear how fellow Americans give of themselves to help others ... Getting a haircut may sound like such a small or insugnificant thing, but for these people, it is a huge act of kindness and love for a stranger on earth, but a brother or sister in Christ!

My heart of full of emotion for the thoughts of those that gave freely and willingly of their time to provide haircuts to those affected by Huricane Katrina. It makes always makes me feel great to have a fresh haircut and style.

God Bless all of you. Rewards come from giving and you've all proved this to be true!

Such a simple pleasure we all take for granted. Bravo!

This is the most incredible and precious act of kindness that I have ever seen. Cutting hair - such a simple act yet what a uplifting feeling. This is such an example of the human spirit - American kindness - I am so proud to be an American after seeing the cutting of the hair. THIS IS WONDERFUL!

What a wonderful service! Nice way to "kick" off the Holidays.

I thiunk that this is a beautiful thing! These people have lost so much and to have something as simple as a hair cut, can make someone feel so much better on the inside and outside.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL IDEA AND GIVE PRAISE TO THOSE WHO TAKE THE TIME OUT OF THERE LIFE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED THERE ARE STILL GOOD PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND THIS JUST WARMS YOUR HEART.

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