Spas healing Katrina's wounds
Hurricane Katrina's devastation to the Gulf Coast region has been grieved worldwide, so it was no surprise that Heidi Lamar, owner of Lamar Everyday Spa (thelamar.com) in Scottsdale, Arizona, wanted to do something from her post 1,500 miles northwest of New Orleans.
"Spa workers are caregivers by nature", explained Lamar, who quickly alerted her staff that, rather than taking off for Labor Day as planned, they would donate 100 percent of their time and profits to benefit the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort with the Scottsdale Chamber Foundation matching the first $2,500 raised. And, she challenged other spas across the country to follow suit, launching a campaign called "Spas For The Cause."
Within 24 hours, Lamar was already getting calls. San Francisco's Huntington Hotel, for example, donated $1,200 to the cause and raffled off a $425 "Serenity Package" at its Nob Hill Spa with a dollar for dollar match up to $1,000. And, the Works Aveda Salon/ Spa in Walled Lake, Michigan, held a weekend fundraiser September 11 called "Kuts for Katrina", during which customers could pay a minimum $20 donation or contribute non-perishable items to be sent to hurricane victims in exchange for a new do.
"I am constantly amazed and proud to be part of such a caring community", said Lamar. "This is an excellent chance for all of our great spas to prove that the hearts of those who work in them are as healing as their hands."
Find a do-good spa near you at spasforthecause.com or visit redcross.com to contribute on your own.
