A Special Cut
<span>Brad Coleman called the response "humbling."</span>
<span>On March 30, Coleman and Tony Lochhead, co-owners of Uptown Barbers in Chester, traveled the 80 miles to St. Louis University Hospital to give a complimentary haircut to Randy Beam.</span>
<span>Beam was seriously injured in a March 22 motorcycle accident in Chester and underwent spinal surgery on March 24.</span>
<span>The gesture has resulted in an outpouring of support for Coleman and Lochhead, but the pair is quick to deflect the praise.</span>
<span>"We didn't take any pictures (Monday) on purpose, because of that," Coleman said. "It was all about Randy and only about Randy and the family.</span>
<span>"Some of the family took pictures and (the news) got out and snowballed from there."</span>
<span>In addition to the services it provides in the barber's chair, Uptown Barbers is known for its charitable contributions and for supporting the community it serves.</span>
<span>"We didn't start this business for the money," Coleman said. "We do it for the people. It doesn't matter what kind of situation it is, if we can help, we're gonna help."</span>
<span>The business was instrumental in organizing a fundraiser for the Chandler family last year.</span>
<span>"I think it was pretty awesome, what they did," said Kevin Beam, Randy's father. "(Randy) was pretty touched with the way they came all the way up there to cut his hair."</span>
<span>Coleman said it was amazing to see the support for Randy Beam, which has spawned the hashtag #TEAMBEAM and Facebook group "The Beam Team."</span>
<span>"It's amazing to see how many friends he has," Coleman said. "A testament to how good of a kid he is."</span>
<span>A correctional officer at Menard Correctional Center, Randy Beam was traveling east on State Street on his 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he lost control of the vehicle.</span>
<span>Both the motorcycle and Beam slid into a 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck, driven by 45-year-old Richard D. Fondow of Ellis Grove, that was in the westbound lane.</span>
<span>A police investigation showed Fondow had just pulled out of the Grace Church parking lot into the westbound lane and was able to stop his truck prior to the motorcycle and Beam making contact with his vehicle.</span>
<span>Beam was transported to Chester Memorial Hospital and then transferred to St. Louis University Hospital.</span>
<span>"He has a lot of healing to do," said Kevin Beam. "It will just take time."</span>
<span>Coleman said Randy Beam was in good spirits and optimistic about the future when he and Lochhead came to visit on Monday.</span>
<span>"Every client's different and we know what Randy gets," said Coleman, when asked what kind of haircut Randy received. "He got the normal, Randy haircut."</span>
<span>If people are interested in making a donation to Randy Beam's medical expenses, the Beam family is asking that they call Buena Vista National Bank in Chester at 618-826-2331 and ask for Gina Scott.</span>
<span>"You really don't know what going to happen after something like this and people we don't even know have jumped in wanting to help out," Kevin Beam said. "I talked to (Chester Mayor) Tom Page and his phone was ringing off the hook with people wanting to help out.</span>
<span>"I know Randy is really touched by the help and the prayers."</span>