United Toyota Supports Imperial Valley Families as Back-to-School Haircut Giveaway Highlights Community Commitment

-Editorial 

• Bringing the Community Together, Step by Step

While Imperial Valley Mall was still quiet in the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 8, the energy inside Bandera’s Barber & Beauty was already building. Families arrived with children and teenagers ready for a fresh haircut—and a little extra help getting prepared for the new school year.

The free back-to-school haircut giveaway, hosted by United Toyota in partnership with Bandera’s Barber & Beauty, brought together local businesses, organizations, and community supporters for a morning focused on helping Imperial Valley families.

For families preparing for the expenses that come with a new school year, a free haircut may seem like a small gesture, but it can make a meaningful difference. Children left the salon with fresh fades and new styles, smiling and ready to head back to the classroom with confidence.

The event reflected United Toyota’s ongoing commitment to supporting the community it serves. The dealership has participated in a variety of local initiatives throughout the year, including supporting youth soccer programs in Heber, local cheerleaders, and community events.

“Bringing the community together, step by step” has become a guiding message behind these efforts—and the back-to-school giveaway offered another example of what can happen when local businesses and organizations work together.

The event was organized with the participation of Bandera’s Barber & Beauty, Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program (IVROP), and United Toyota, with additional support from a group of community partners committed to making the day possible.

Among them were Menchie’s, Round Table, Innercare, the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer The Tax Lady, Chelsea – Ms. Jr. Teen California United States, Imperial Valley Mall and IVROP.

For Alexis La Bandera, a Calexico native and owner of Bandera’s Barber & Beauty, the idea came from a simple question: How could local businesses help families prepare for the school year?

“We’re thinking, what can we do?” La Bandera said. “A lot of families need haircuts for back to school.”

The event was also discussed through the business’ “We Are United” podcast before the organizations moved forward with the giveaway.

La Bandera, who has worked as a barber at the business for 13 years, said this was the first annual free haircut giveaway hosted by the business. He hopes it will become a continuing tradition that grows each year.

“It feels amazing,” La Bandera said. “It feels good seeing people smile, being happy.”

His team also volunteered their time, helping make the event possible and reinforcing the collaborative spirit behind the initiative.

United Toyota’s participation reflected the dealership’s broader philosophy that businesses have a responsibility to reinvest in the communities that support them.

“At the end of the day, the community gives so much to the company,” said Branden Thompson of United Toyota’s internet sales team. “It’s on us to be able to give back to the community.”

For local families, that support was appreciated.

Samantha Rodriguez of El Centro learned about the event through Instagram and brought her two children, ages 5 and 4, for haircuts.

“I think it’s a very nice thing what they’re doing for the community,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a lot of struggles going on right now with the economy and everything, so just by them supporting and showing their support to the community, it helps out a lot.”

Elizabeth Rosas of El Centro, who learned about the giveaway through Facebook, also brought two children to participate.

Rosas said she appreciated seeing local organizations invest in families and provide practical assistance ahead of the new school year.

The event demonstrated that community support does not have to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with a haircut, a donated service, a sponsorship, a backpack—or simply bringing local organizations together around a common purpose.

And for United Toyota, the back-to-school giveaway is only one part of that ongoing effort.

More Than a Back-to-School Event

Throughout the year, United Toyota has continued to support Imperial Valley initiatives involving children, families, sports and community organizations. From helping provide soccer uniforms in Heber to supporting local cheerleaders and sponsoring community events, the dealership is positioning its community involvement as a year-round commitment rather than a one-time effort.

As the new school year approaches, United Toyota is inviting local families to stop by the dealership, explore its latest Toyota vehicles and take one for a test drive.

And for students getting ready to head back to school, United Toyota is also helping families start the year prepared by offering back-to-school backpacks as part of its community outreach.

It is another opportunity to turn a visit to the dealership into something more than a car-shopping experience—and to continue its commitment to “Bringing the Community Together, Step by Step.”

Because when local businesses, organizations and families come together, even a simple back-to-school haircut can become part of something much bigger: a community investing in its children and its future.