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Kelso Barber Bill Ammons Uses Tip Money To Fund Community Projects

Barber Bill Ammons

For three decades, barber Bill Ammons has saved his tips and used them to fund community projects.

When Bill Ammons isn’t cutting hair at his Kelso barbershop‚ he’s probably out doing a good deed for someone in the community‚ whether it’s collecting food for needy families or giving a bicycle to a child.

“I believe if we’d all take time and quit being so greedy‚ we could make this world a lot better place‚” Ammons says.

Ammons was born in Kelso in 1942 and grew up just three blocks from where his longstanding Pacific Barber Shop is located. His father started the barber shop in 1933‚ and Ammons took over in 1962. Since 1977‚ he has refused to raise his prices.

“I charge $4 for a haircut or whatever you have down to a dollar‚” he says. “The good Lord has blessed me with a good living‚ and I don’t believe in raising my prices.”

Ammons has been saving his tip money for charitable causes for the past 30 years‚ using it for everything from buying jackets for kids in need to giving backpacks filled with school supplies to local schoolchildren. Every year‚ he grows 500 tomato plants and gives the fruits of his labor to area senior citizens.

“I’ve always felt it was better to give than to receive‚” Ammons says. “We all have something that excites us‚ and for some people it’s buying a new car. But seeing a smile on the face of a young boy or girl is something money can’t buy.”

Ammons organizes an annual food drive called Drive Away Hunger that collects thousands of pounds of food through the Lower Columbia Community Action Program Help Warehouse. The donated food is distributed to more than 200 needy families‚ the battered women’s shelter and Mountain Ministries. Ammons also partners with the local fire department each year to give away bicycles to low-income school children.

“Kids need somebody to help them‚” he says. “When I give‚ I feel 10 feet tall. Seeing a kid smile means everything to me.”

Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Michael W. Bunch

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