More Love for Haiti

On February 20, Andre Chreky The Salon Spa in Washington, D.C., raised $30,000 for the American Red Cross through its Haircuts for Haiti event. The entire staff, led by Andre and Serena Chreky, donated 100 percent of the day's proceeds from the 12-hour service marathon. "We are thrilled by the generosity of our clients and every member of our team," says Serena. "We administered 410 beauty services-everything from haircuts to pedicures-to more than 250 customers. Andre earned the nickname "Andre Scissorhands" for personally completing 100 haircuts. A number of VIP clinets, including Newt and Callista Gingrich and Marsha Barbor (Mrs. Haley Barbour) stopped by to show their support. In addition to a full complement of beauty treatments, participants could purchase raffle tickets for a massive basket of beauty products contributed by Bumble and bumble, pick up a treat from the bake sale table, or buy a specialty designed, bright red "Help Haiti. Get Chreky" T-shirt. Aubrey McEnelly, the salon's front desk manager couldn't have been more enthused. "Every customer made a point of thaking us for hosting this event. They were so grateful for the opportunity to take part in a collective effort," she says. "It was wonderful to see how much our hard work mattered." 

Dieci Lifestyle Salon

in Livingston, New Jersey, hosted an in-salon Haircuts for Haiti event on February 9 that raised more than $6,000 for UNICEF's relief efforts. The salon and spa offered a number of salon and spa services, and co-owner Paul Gaglioti called on his salon industry friends to participate. Technician from the following salons donated their services: Bangz Salon and Wellness Spa in Montclair, Antonio's Salon and Spa in Livingston, Panico Salon and Spa in West Caldwell, and Sarracino Salon and Spa at Mira's in Livingston. A local jewelry story sold select pieces during the event. "We are overcome with the outpouring of support from our peers for this event," he said. "We called on salon owners in the area and not one told me no. We are excited and blessed to be surrounded by such talent in the industry and good-hearted people."

In New Lenox, Illinois, the Charles Morris Salon raised $4,300 during its six-hour cut-a-thon. The entire staff donated their time and the proceeds were donated to a charity that give 100 percent of donations to Haitian relief efforts. "This event was planned and executed in a two-week time period," says Tammy Pecho, salon coordinator. "Because of the efforts of our great staff, donations from local businesses and the support of volunteer stylists from other nearby salons, this day was a huge success."

In Omaha, Nebraska, Shannon Stickman and Nikki Okun, the owners of Seven Salon, overlooked the boundaries of competition to unite and raise money for Haitian relief efforts. "We had a fund-raiser on own for a staff member whose baby had leukemia in 2007, and we raised $8,000 for that family," says Stickman. "We know the impact that we have the ability to make, and so joining together with any salon that wanted to come on board was a natural thing." Seven Salon issued the invites and the positive responses have been rolling in for for the event planned for March 14. To date, Garbo's Eagle Run, Bangs, Bungalow/Eight, Sirens, and Salon Halo are joining two of Seven's locations for the event, and Peel's Salon Services offered to donate gifts with a retail value of $15 to every client who receives a service and donates to the fund-rasier. Stickman also is collecting items from area business for a raffle to raise additional funds, and has already landed a 32" flatscreen television. In Omaha and want to help out? Click here to email or call (402)981-6014.

Callista and Newt Gingrich join Serena Chreky in support of Haircuts for Haiti, a one-day service marathon that raised $30,000 for earthquake relief efforts.

At the opening of Serious Business, Edwin Neill and Debra Neill Baker encourage the 1,000-plus attendees to join them in texting $10 donations to the Red Cross for Haitian victims.

At Serious Business help in late January in New Orleans, hosts Edwin Neill, Debra Neill Baker and Carol Augusto took out their cell phones on stage and encouraged the more than 1,000 attendees to join them in texting $10 donations to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund. Throughout the crowded ballroom, participants simultaneously punched in their pledges. To raise even more money, Neill Corporation hosted a playoff game party so participants could gather to cheer on their beloved Saints to an NFC Championship victory. All ticket sales to the event were donated to the relief effort. 

The day the earthquake hit Haiti, below average temperatures struck Jackson, Mississippi, causing pipes to burst throughout town. "We were without water for seven days, and I had to close the salon," says Suzanne Moak, owners of Smoak Salon. "Since we were closed, I had more TV time and became engulfed in the Haiti crisis. Although I had to fill water jugs to flush my toilet, it was nothing compared to what the people in Haiti were going through and I knew I had to do something. Even though we had to cancel 400 appointments the week we had no water, I knew I could not wait one more second before helping the people of Haiti. We decided on "Haircuts for Haiti" and set a goal of $1,000." Usually closed on Monday, the salon opened on Monday, January 25, offering half-priced haircuts and donating the money to the Salvation Army of Haiti. Not only did the salon raise $2,000, it was highlighted on "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" as one of the many things Americans are doing to help. Catch the telecast.

With memories of a recent minor earthquake fresh in their minds, the employees of Atelier Salon and Spa in San Jose, California, offer their signature haircuts, washes and blowouts and relaxing waxing services during a special fund-raising event. The salon will thank all donating clients with a gift bag containing a gift card and product samples. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

Head Organics donated product for a silent auction organized by a blogger.

Head Organics donated a dozen nine-pack sets of Head Organics product to the blogspot This Mama Rocks!, whose author Holly was organizing a silent auction through her blog. "I can't believe the amazing support that I have received from companies that want to donate to this event so we can raise money for the American Red Cross," she wrote.

In Toronto, Ontario, the Artist Choice Studio partnered with Donato Salon and Spa to organize Hairdressers Helping Haiti, a three-day cut and color-a-thon to be held at the Artist Choice Studio. Cuts will be priced from $30 to $60, color from $40-$60 and highlights from $75 to $150 depending on stylist level, and every dollar will be donated to The Red Cross ' Haiti Disaster Relief Effort.

The poster for Mosaic Hair Studio's cut-a-thon.

In Orlando, Mosaic Hair Studio in Orlando, Florida, owners Mike Van Den Abbeel and his wife Kiri Willhelm, hosted Haircuts for Haiti, where the duo offered their services and invited clients to "give until you feel beautiful." Not only did the single evening event raise $613 for Haiti relief efforts, it garned a lot of local publicity including an article in the local paper and coverage on three news stations. 

Across the country, TONI&GUY academies united in an effort to raise awareness and funds with their Hearts for Haiti campaign. Every Saturday through February, the schools broke their infamous black and while dress codes by suggesting staff and students make a donation of $5. "This is not only a tragedy for the people of Haiti, but rather a tragedy for the world! What matters most in this global community in the face of devastation is how quickly and effectively we respond," says Kenny Gibson, president and COO of the academy division. TONI&GUY's website, Facebook and Twitter pages will be updated every Saturday to reflect the collected support. Click here to join them in making a donation. 

On Monday, January 25, Joseph Michael's Salon and Spa in Chicago, Illinois, held Haircuts for Haiti, raising $2,500 for the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund. The salons staff offered haircuts, massages, facials and manicures for a donations of $30 or more. More than 60 services were performed.

In Erie, Pennsylvania, Jim Farrell, director of operations for Panache Salon and Spa, made it a goal to raise $10,000 and pledged to match up to 20 percent of all donations to his spa's fund. Through his local friend Sister Mary Miller, who has been to Haiti five time on different missions, Farrell learned of Partners In Health, an organization that brings modern medical care to the poorest regions on Earth. Farrell has set up a page on his salon's site to collect donations. (Check it out.) To encourage visiting clients to donate, Farrell has set up laptops stations throughout the salon. In addition, he's blasting an e-mail request to his database. "I think this little salon of 20 employees can hit $10K!" says Farrell.

John Gerard Griffiths from Loft 26 does a celebrity blowout at Phyto Universe.

On Saturday, January 23, Lemon Lime Aveda Lifestyle Salon hosted a cut-a-thon and raffle in the small seaside town of Cohasset, Massachusetts. "Our philanthropic focus has always been breast cancer and we've raised close to a million dollars through our annual events held in March, but when we saw what was happening in Haiti we had to respond," says owner Adrian Morris. The salon collected donations from Aveda and 17 local businesses and sold $5 raffle tickets. The raffle itself raised $1,500, for an evening total of $3,760. "I think it shows us what an impact hairdressers have in a community when we can raise that kind of money in six hours," says Morris. 

Ginger Bay Salon and Spa in Kirkwood, Missouri, hosted Jeans Week from February 1 through February 6. The salon invited guests to join their staff members in wearing denim and donated 5 percent of all retail sales on February 5th and 6th to UNICEF to help the children of Haiti. The salon also is selling $1 Haiti Relief bracelets.

New York's Phyto Universe already had a Tweet Up press event planned in the spa on January 21, but after the earthquake, event organizers opened it up to clients, friends, and family. About 100 attendees paid for $20 blowouts with celebrity stylists from salons, such as  the Ted Gibson Salon, Davide Torchio Salon, Mordechai Alvo and Loft 26. The event also featured a live acoustic performance by "I Love Monsters" and a wine tasting with Oriel wines. The celebrity blowouts raised $2,000, which was matched by PHYTO, for a total donation of $4,000, which was donated to the to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. Nate Erickson from Yele Haiti
was on hand to accept the donation.

Within 24 hours, the staff at Blue Water Day Spa in Kensington, Maryland, organized a fund-raiser and a food and clothing drive. Since the spa, owned by Julie Nguyen, frequently organizes drives to help local charities, it was relatively easy to turn around an event quickly. From January 15th though the 30th, Blue Water donated $15 from any of the following regularly priced services: Apothecary Spa Pedicure ($85); 60-minute Swedish Massage ($100); 60-minute Signature Facial ($110); Gel Forever French Full Set ($70); and Reflexology on Feet ($65). In addition, the spa is organizing a weekend drive for canned and dry food and gently used clothing. All donations will be given to the Red Cross.

Ted Gibson, Raphael Yousri, Jenna Muller and Anne-Cecil Blanchot at the Phyto Universe event, which raised $4,000 to Yele Haiti.

At Plan B Cut and Color Boutique in Cambridge, Massachusetts, owner Rick Forgarty vowed to match 20 percent of all pledges for Haiti made by the salon's Facebook Fans through January 23. "We need to help support these beautiful people in the hour of their most desperate need," Fogarty told the salon's fans. "Just post the amount of your pledge, and I'll cut a check next Saturday, and I'm beginning the process with a pledge of $250."

When the tragedy struck, the Professional Beauty Association sent out an announcement encouraging members who would like to help the people of Haiti to direct them to the American Red Cross Fund. Click here for more information. (The association's PBA/NCA Cares Disaster Relief helps members of the professional beauty industry after a domestic disaster.)

What can you do right now? One of the most urgent needs is for funds for organizations who are positioned to offer immediate help. And with today's technology, giving couldn't be any easier:

To donate to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund, use your cell phone to text "Haiti" to 90999 and $10 will automatically be charged to your cell phone bill. Or, click here to donate through the website, or call 800-REDCROSS.

To donate to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund, use your cell phone to text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 will automatically be charged to your cell phone bill. Or, click here to donate through the organization's website.

I urge you to take a moment and make a donation, even a small one. And, pass the information on to your staff members and clients and urge them to do the same. Include a call to action in your next e-newsletter, post a request on your salon's Facebook and Twitter sites, and e-forward this story to your friends.

Got a great idea to help the people of Haiti? Post it here, and your idea is bound to inspire others.

Stacey Soble has been involved in the conversation of salon business for 14 years-as a reporter, a consultant and as the editor in chief of SALON TODAY.

Read Stacey Soble's Blogs