SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A Springfield police officer’s idea to offer free haircuts developed into a community back-to-school soiree.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that police officer Lamar Moore’s event recently entertained 300 kids with games, school supplies and backpacks.

Moore collected donations from other officers and emergency dispatchers. Barbers Dwy Rice and Seth Gregory had the free haircut idea and want to organize future events to help the community.

Rice owns First Class Barbershop and Gregory works there. They brainstormed ideas for helping families and Moore jumped aboard and started raising money.

Moore has been a Springfield officer for about two years. He grew up in the notorious Robert Taylor Homes public housing project in Chicago. He was the first in his family to graduate college and is committed to helping young people.