Backpacks, haircuts, eye checks and more

Southern Illinois children get ready for school at Black Diamond giveaway

By Ceasar Maragni

Contributing photojournalist

When Black Diamond Harley Davidson owners Shad Zimbro and Rodney Cabaness opened their Marion business over a decade ago among their plans was to give back to the area communities they served.

They've accomplished that many times over in a variety of ways.

Among them is the annual backpack giveaway, held Saturday at the dealership.

Spokesman Jeremy Pinkston said this was their 10th straight year of giving school supplies to local kids in need.

"That first year we gave away 1,000 backpacks and we now average giving away around 1,500 each year," he said. In addition to the backpacks they also give away pencils, erasers, rulers, notebooks, folders, T shirts and more.

Kids at the event also could get their teeth checked and cleaned, get a haircut, have their eyes checked, and sample Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Marion dentist Dr. Dwayne Summers offered free dental screening at the event, bringing with him another dentist, Dr. Amy Wyatt and over a dozen members of his Dental Safari office.

Summers has participated at the Black Diamond event from day one.

"We're happy to be able to give back to the kids of our area communities," he said.

Lachelle Hartline, owner of the Hot Heads hair salon in Marion, has been bringing her crew to the event all 10 years as well, to give free haircuts.

"We close our shop for the day so we can do this," Hartline said. "That allows us to have five chairs going the whole time. We'll do well over a hundred haircuts today."

Marion Eye Center staff members were also on hand to give free screenings and the local Krispy Kreme franchise provided their tasty doughnuts to those attending.

Pinkston said, "The great thing about this is that for the kids and their families, it's all free - until we run out!"