With an unprecedented show of unity for fellow beauty professionals impacted by Hurricane Sandy, hairstylists, distributors, manufacturers and media outlets from throughout the beauty industry gathered together Sunday, December 9, to make the "Hairdressers Helping Hairdressers" benefit a huge success. With donations still coming in and the on-line auction still open, the event has already raised more than $170,000 for the Professional Beauty Association's (PBA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). The PBA Disaster Relief Fund awards 100% of funds raised to help industry professionals impacted by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy, as they begin rebuilding.
Three hundred guests along with more than 3,000 that watched the live streaming video took part in the event (webcast replay available at hairdressershelpinghairdressers.com). Several cross-manufacturer teams along with some of the industry biggest stars, including celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson serving as emcee, also contributed their time and talents. While there were many industry VIPs in attendance, the "stars" were the victims of Hurricane Sandy, such as New York salon owner Josie Scarpa, a beneficiary of the PBA Disaster Relief Fund.
"When my salon was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy," Scarpa remarked, "I applied for so many loans to help rebuild, and I was turned away again and again. Being here and knowing that my own people [hairdressers] are there for us and helping raise money gives me so much hope. I know I will rebuild again. I've made a promise to my staff that I will."
The benefit featured hair and fashion shows along with a silent auction. (The on-line silent auction remains open through the end of the year.) While there were many exciting moments, the main purpose of the event was helping those impacted, some of whom shared their personal and devastating stories. In addition to Josie Scarpa, the personal and professional lives of hairstylists Anthony Cole, Deanna DiLorenzo and Danielle Laster were devastated by Hurricane Sandy: each shared their experience. Cole was out of town when the storm hit and came back to the East Coast to discover his dog had drowned and that he and his family no longer had a home. Laster of Rockville, NY, lost her apartment and everything in it.
For those that missed the webcast, which featured notable artists and industry leaders including: Goldwell/KMS featuring Dimitrios Tsioumas, John Simpson and Nick Arrojo; Oribe; Wella's Nick Berardi, Anthony Cole and Alexandra Matiz; Matrix's Ammon Carver; L'Oréal Professional's Jason Backe; Redken's Giovanni Giuntoli; Pureology's Ruth Roche; Sassoon Academy's Traci Sakosits and Richie Rivera; Hairbrained's Gerard Scarpaci and Randy Taylor, and Joico/Zotos featuring Stephen Wang. The event can be watched, bids on the auction items entered and donations made at hairdressershelpinghairdressers.com.
Applying for Aid:
Applications for aid from the PBA Disaster Relief Fund can be found at probeauty.org/disaster-relief-fund.
[Image courtesy of Y Public Relations]
