Paul Mitchell Schools ended their 15th annual FUNraising campaign last night by announcing that the schools had raised more than $1.5 million dollars this year, making the lifetime contribution of the Paul Mitchell Schools at almost $20 million.
The 2018 FUNraising Gala—the highlight of the annual campaign—celebrated all of the participating schools at the Beverly Hilton in last night. This year’s co-hosts were Stephen tWitch Boss and Winn Claybaugh, dean and cofounder of Paul Mitchell Schools.
This year, students and team members from the 100-plus cosmetology schools will spent 11 weeks raising money for this year’s supported organizations:
- Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation
- Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, represented by Marie Osmond
- Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), represented by Dolph Lundgren
- Eyes on Cancer, represented by Dr. Dean and Jeanne Braa Foster
- Food 4 Africa, represented by John Paul DeJoria
- Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Foundation
- Gary Sinise Foundation, represented by Gary Sinise
- Leeza’s Care Connection, represented by Leeza Gibbons
- No Limits, represented by comedian/motivational speaker Kathy Buckley
- Thirst Project, represented by Eden Sassoon and Seth Maxwell
“Each year, we partner with incredible charities that work tirelessly throughout the world for a variety of causes,” Winn Claybaugh said. “Their celebrity representatives play an active role in motivating and encouraging our 13,000 future professionals as we raise money through thousands of events, from cut-a-thons and car washes to fashion shows and charity balls. This year’s celebrity partners belong to an elite group of wonderful stars who’ve supported us in the past, including Magic Johnson, Betty White, Dolly Parton, Larry King, and Vidal Sassoon.”
Paul Mitchell Schools proudly reported that the cost incurred in raising the money has been less than 4%, an amazingly low amount compared to the national average of 25%. “We consider it a serious responsibility to be good stewards of the funds we raise,” Winn Claybaugh said. “We work hard to keep the costs low while helping our students learn about the importance and joy of making a difference.”
“People often ask why we promote FUNraising in our schools,” Claybaugh added. “Nowadays, it is so easy for businesses to focus only on the money that goes into their own pockets. That is not us. Our FUNraising campaign lets us give back to our communities, join together as a team for something important outside of work, and provide our students with opportunities to develop skills that will help them in their careers and in life.”