Jose Cruz helps the homeless and other families in need.
- Jose Cruz owns a barbershop in Oviedo
- He helps the homeless, families in need
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“My Pastor, Tim Johnson, he told me, 'Jose, I need you to help me get some barbers,' and I was like, 'Let’s go,' " Cruz said.
That’s exactly what Cruz did. The barber, who owns a shop in Oviedo, exceeded everyone’s expectations. He recruited more than 200 barbers to give away thousands of free haircuts.
“Every time I went to the barbershops, I would share the message of, we have a gift, why not use that to bless others," Cruz said.
Cruz also used social media to recruit barbers from other states.
“Jose is a giant of a man. You’re going to see what’s he done across three counties. He’s got barbers coming from New York City. Got a call from Miami, North Carolina," said Pastor Timothy Johnson, who leads the congregation at Orlando World Outreach Center. "What he’s doing is unprecedented in the barber world."
Cruz was recognized for his crucial role in the second annual “He Got Up” event at Camping World Stadium.
However, Cruz said what has been more fulfilling has been the transformation of his own spirit by helping others.
“When somebody sits down and you give them a haircut, you see the way it looks," Cruz said. "When they get up from that chair, you’re like, 'Wow, I did that.' I made that person feel good, so it actually gives you the motivation to keep going," he said.
When Cruz found out he was going to be featured as an Everyday Hero on News 13, he said it was an honor.
“Humble. Humble. I’m humbled, and it makes me feel... It’s an honor. I'm grateful, and no words can explain the feeling, so thank you," Cruz said.
In addition to free haircuts, the event provided free job, legal, clothing and health care resources.