Wilmington police help girls get pampered before back to school

WILMINGTON (WPVI) -- Most students want to look good for their first day of school and in Wilmington today, a special program was in place to make sure some young girls looked beautiful for the big day.

From the shampoo chairs to a seat at the manicure table, with the help of Wilmington police a special group of girls are getting ready for their first day of school.

"I'm getting my hair braided. Supposed to be getting my nails done," said 10-year-old D'Asiah Anderson

"I signed up because I wanted my hair to be pretty for school," said 9-year-old Taniyah Williams

More than 20 girls between 8 and 12-years-old happily pulled up salon chairs at American Beauty Academy in Wilmington.

Not only is a little pampering a lot of fun, but it's also about making a good first impression.

Wilmington Police Corporal Kennita Champion, who's assigned to the William Hicks Anderson Community Center, wanted to do something special for the girls there as they started the school year.

And her department quickly got on board.

"You want to have a higher level of self confidence- sometimes going in on first day if school you don't have your hair done, your nails done. You don't want to be the target," said Champion.

Wilmington police officers kicked in money, supplies were donated by crazy discount beauty supply store and American beauty academy offered services at reduced rates. The money they charged is being donated back to the community center or a charity of their choice.

"We want to be sure the money goes for something special for these girls," said Faith Dickey from the American Beauty Academy.

This is the first time Wilmington police have done this but this event is so popular they tell me it wont be their last.