Moon’s Barbershop’s Back to School Backpack Giveaway Returns to Annapolis

Moon’s Barbershop, located in Annapolis, Maryland, is more than a place where barbers cut hair. The business serves as a community hub and source of positivity. Kayla Adams, a parent of a four-year-old and 11-year-old, looks forward to attending Moon’s Barbershop’s Back to School Backpack Giveaway on Sunday, August 3, 2025.  Moon’s Barbershop is a small business known for lending a hand to families and students during a free event. 

“Receiving backpacks and school supplies for my children has been a huge help for my family. It ensured that my children started the school year prepared and confident,” Adams stated. “Moon’s Barbershop and Team Moon have been around for years. I was once a recipient myself, and I remember attending this annual event with my parents for a day of fun to help me prepare for the upcoming school year.

Adams reminisced about the community event while recalling that she noticed the smiles on children’s faces who engaged in various activities. 

“It’s also nice to see everyone coming together as a community so that the children know they have people they can go to,” she added.

Moon’s Barbershop has been in business since 2002. Colleen Moon and Edward Moon are Annapolis, Maryland residents who continue to support families before school doors open. Having a village-minded mentality, the couple promotes community volunteerism and investment in school-age young people. While attending the Back to School Backpack Giveaway, youth can select necessary school supplies to get their school year started while having a little summer fun, food and drinks. There are no residency requirements for youth to receive items.

“The only requirement to receive a backpack is that the child must be present,” said Colleen.

The owners of Moon’s Barbershop will return to Wiley H. Bates Boys & Girls Club, located at 121 South Villa Avenue in Annapolis on Sunday, August 3, 2025 from noon to 3:00 p.m. to lead the Back to School Backpack Giveaway in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County and TUWA Temple 228. Four thousand young people have been served through their previous back-to-school events, according to Colleen. 

The children who attend the event receive more than just bookbags. “It places the child in the presence of many volunteers with the necessary resources as we build social connections and friendships. This also increases awareness in community engagement and allows the volunteers to see what else is needed in the community. This is more than just a one-day event for Team Moon; we are in local churches, Moon’s Barbershop, and the community, engaging and building community resilience.

We have been doing the Back to School event since the summer of 2009. We started hosting the Barbershop location in the parking lot, but we soon outgrew the space in a few years. We are currently partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County and use their big field and parking lot. This larger space has allowed us to provide more activities for the children, such as pony rides; face painting; balloon twists; and a moon bounce.”

Team Moon, a group of dedicated volunteers who give effortlessly of their time and connect with children and their families, join the Moons to make a difference and have fun, all while creating a bond with the youngsters to build a stronger community.

“We are always open to receiving more volunteers and sponsors. Our backpack giveaway requires a lot of resources and all hands-on deck,” said Colleen.

She further stated that sponsorship donations were received from Team Moon members, TUWA Temple 228, and many other organizations that wish to assist the community children and collaborate to support the annual event. 

Colleen and Edward Moon, in addition to Team Moon, lend a helping hand as a labor of love.

“I can’t thank Moon’s Barbershop for all they have done in the past, and for all of the things they will continue to do, seen and unseen, for our community,” said Adams.