If you read Lehigh Valley news, the name Stephen Flowers is one you’re familiar with. He’s been on the radar for years, but lately, his incredible community service has taken on a new life. From free haircuts for the homeless to his recent debut within the craft beer community, everything that Flowers touches turns into community-revitalizing gold.
The owner of the Easton-based salon Suddenly Samantha, Flowers recently received recognition for his services. Last November, Mayor Sal Panto presented him with the Gretchen Wrenshall Community Spirit Award. Just days earlier, Easton’s Two Rivers Brewing honored Flowers by naming a beer after him. Dubbed “Flowers Helping Hands IPA,” this beer not only tastes good but it also did some good as well—for every pint of beer sold during the release party, Two Rivers donated one dollar to Safe Harbor. Everywhere he goes, Flowers brings positive energy and change with him. It all started with his salon.
“When I opened my salon twenty years ago, not only did I want to give my clients the highest quality [and] trendy hair services, but I also wanted to give back to my community,” Flowers says. For over five years, Suddenly Samantha has been open on Christmas Day, offering free haircuts as well as food, companionship and an escape from the chill to those in need.
Additionally, he comes into the salon on Mondays—his day off—and provides the homeless with a free wash and cut as well as styling.
On Monday mornings, Suddenly Samantha also hosts the Shanthi Project (a local non-profit providing yoga therapy services), welcoming the local homeless community and residents of Safe Harbor in for a yoga class. The work of Flowers and those that he aligns himself with provides an increasingly large homeless community with services they would otherwise not have access to.
That’s not all. “Before every school year, I give kids from low-income families free back-to-school haircuts. This past year, I encouraged others to sponsor kids for [heading] back to school by getting them supplies, new clothes, shoes, et cetera,” says Flowers.
Last year was Easton’s third silent skateboard deck art auction. Starting as Deck the Walls, this annual fundraising event outgrew the space inside Suddenly Samantha and in 2015 transformed into Deck the Town. Suddenly Samantha hosted some local artists’ work (done on the bottom of skateboards) to be auctioned, as did two other Easton merchants. All proceeds (an astounding amount exceeding $5,000) went to Safe Harbor.
When it comes to giving back, Stephen Flowers knows his stuff. Stop in the salon. You’ll see him (even on his off day) happily cutting hair and, undoubtedly, you’ll find yourself touched by his infectious desire to give back.
Suddenly Samantha | 140 Northampton St., Easton | 610.559.8590
Safe Harbor | 536 Bushkill Dr., Easton | 610.258.5540 | safeharboreaston.wordpress.com