MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Brevard County hair salon offering free or discounted services to the hundreds of furloughed federal workers on the Space Coast, just one more Florida business doing what they can to help people affected by the ongoing partial government shutdown.

  • Sorelli Hair Studio in Melbourne offering free haircuts
  • Also half-price color retouches for workers, family members
  • Learn more at their Facebook group page

It was a regular day at Sorelli Hair Studio and Spa in Melbourne, according to Rosemarie Cally, when the severity of the government shutdown hit home.

One of Cally's clients confided that money is getting tight and having her hair done was a luxury she may not be able to afford anymore, especially if the shutdown continues.

"She said the husband is the main bread winner and he wasn't getting a paycheck," she said.

Because of her story, the salon is offering free haircuts and half price color retouch services for people furloughed and their immediate families. 

The need for generosity grows for these people by the day. Stay at home parents are considering going back to work, even NASA and government furloughed employees are starting to jump ship and look for other jobs, ones that don't run the risk of getting their paychecks held hostage by Washington.

Though the paychecks stop, the bills don't, and the first things people sacrifice are things like going out to eat and personal care for their appearance. 

“Yesterday I did someone's hair who was getting ready to go on an interview next week," Cally said. "I made him feel good by cleaning him up a little."

The problem is so widespread the salon created a Facebook group so business owners can post if they have free services or discounted services for those who are furloughed on the Space Coast.