American Hair: More than a salon

Ever since Nick and April Clement opened American Hair Family Cutters in Continental Plaza in 1987, and a second location in Sahuarita Plaza in 1991, they’ve given more than haircuts, hair coloring, shampoos and perms.

They’ve enjoyed business success and donating to various clubs, organizations and charities in Green Valley and Sahuarita.

They’ve been involved in everything from the Sahuarita and Green Valley Rotary clubs to hosting foreign exchange students from New Zealand, Belgium and Russia, to putting on July 4th fireworks show at various HOAs and organizing an auction for Rotary that benefits the community.

“We believe in giving back,” Nick said.

April credits her dedicated employees and their years of good relationships with customers for community loyalty.

“Until last year, one employee had been with us for 21 years. Most have been with us between 10 and 15 years,” she said. “Most of our success is due to our friendly employees.”

Including April and Nick, each location has six hairdressers plus receptionists who are also shampoo assistants.

Though volunteer and non-profit groups do much to help communities, rarely can they do it alone. They depend on businesses like American Hair and people like the Clements to donate time, money and services.

“We’ve given free hair services as raffle prizes. We’ve given to the Food Bank. In October we offered free haircuts at Sopori Elementary School in Amado,” Nick said.

Now he and April are working with their respective Rotary clubs to help toward earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti.

At Sahuarita Rotary Club’s Jan. 19 meeting, April said the club decided it would match donations by individual members to support the Haiti recovery effort.

Nick said the Green Valley Rotary Club has purchased a shelter box that will give 10 people all the necessities for 10 weeks. The club has also raised at least $1,400 to help.

Nick told of a project a few years ago when his Rotary Club was approached to assist the Agadez people in Niger, where women walked three miles a day to get water.

“In less than a month the members donated $12,000, which was matched by Rotary International and our local District 5500 to equal $25,000.”

With the money, Nick said the people were on their way to digging a well, adding plumbing to a medical clinic, building a fence for a seed garden and purchasing 300 milk goats.

How did they collect so much? “We asked. People gave,” Nick said.

Whether giving in tangible or intangible ways, giving back to a community often results in a feeling of connectedness and the satisfaction of trying to make the community — and the world — a better place.

“It’s nice knowing you’ve been successful, but we couldn’t do it without our employees and the community... everybody is always so appreciative here,” he said. “They give their time, and they appreciate your time.”

Contact Green Valley freelance reporter Ellen Sussman at ellen2414@cox.net.