By Kate Scriven
When you visit Luxe For Style in downtown Olympia you know what you are going to leave with – a fantastic cut, full of style. You might even leave with a new accessory for yourself or pick up a gift for someone at home. And, it’s nearly certain you’ll leave feeling better than you did when you arrived. But on Saturday, September 14, you can visit Luxe For Style and leave with the sense of peace and purpose that comes from giving back to those in our community suffering with childhood cancer.
For the third year in a row, the owners of Luxe For Style, Noemi Walston, Megan Healy, and Shannon Parker, have organized their Cut-A-Thon benefitting local children’s cancer charities, Friends of Mia and Rhema’s Reality. “One thing I’ve learned over the last three years doing this is not only how many children are dealing with a diagnosis, but the effect it has on the entire family. Many people don’t think about that, and that is where Friends of Mia is so great,” shares Walston. “They provide outings and events for these families. It’s about trying to create a ‘normal’ moment or a ‘normal’ day for them to just be a family, not a family dealing with cancer.”
While Friends of Mia focuses on family’s immediate needs, Rhema’s Reality funds childhood cancer research in memory of Rhema, a local teen who passed away in 2011. The organization was started by her friend, Jacob Johnson, himself a teen, and Rhema after the two met at church and he learned of her diagnosis. Johnson continues to raise funds for childhood cancer, knowing that Rhema’s role in his life is far from over.
Each year support for the event has grown and this year three additional salons, along with countless downtown merchants, are participating. The salons, including Luxe For Style, Lone Star Salon, Robert Allen Salon, and Antidote Salon and Spa, will be donating all proceeds from cuts that day to the two charities. Salons will take walk-ins but as the event has gotten more popular, the salons all recommend calling now to make an appointment to ensure you’ll be able to get a cut. Cuts are offered at a discount during the Cut-A-Thon at two different price points. Dry cuts are 30 minutes long and run $15. A typical one hour appointment, including shampoo, cut and style runs $35.
If you want to participate, but aren’t looking for a cut, there are lots of ways to give back. Local merchants are pitching in as well, donating a portion of their day’s proceeds back to the Cut-A-Thon. Giving to these deserving charities is as easy as getting your car washed at Shur-Kleen Car Wash or picking up a cupcake at Sweet Charley B’s Cupcakery, which will feature a special treat for the day. “All it takes is to drive through a car wash or pick up a treat to tell local families, ‘I hear you and I care about you’”, Walston explains.
Many downtown businesses are joining in as well. The Painted Plate, Red Door Interiors, Archibald Sisters, and many more are participating with a percentage going directly to the Cut-A-Thon. Don’t need anything new? Pick up a gift certificate for later – Painted Plate certificates work particularly well for birthday party gifts.
Working on Saturday? Take your lunch break at 5th Ave Sandwich shop, where they will have a special sandwich in honor of the event, and know your dollars are going to benefit families in need. For a full list of participating businesses click here.
The Cut-A-Thon hopes to raise $10,000 this year, an increase over last years $7800. The salon atmosphere will be fun and festive for the day with balloons, treats, and goodie bags. Additionally, professional photographer Brian Kasnyik of OlyKaz Photography will be offering professional photo shoots for $20 each, giving you a 5×7 print and disc of pictures to keep. Call Luxe For Style (360.754.1600) to make an appointment with Brian. Shoots will be on locations around downtown Olympia, creating an amazing memory of the day.
And a new, and adorable, addition this year is Lucy’s Lemonade. Little Lucy is four-years-old and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in June of 2012. Lucy has completed her treatments and her prognosis is excellent. When she heard about the Cut-A-Thon, she asked her mom, “How can I help?” Despite all she has been through in her young life, Lucy is ready to help others in any way she can. So, she’s doing what a darling 4-year-old does best – running a lemonade stand.
If your day is packed on September 14, maybe leave just a bit of extra time to pull into the Timberland Bank parking lot across from Luxe for Style on Washington Street, and buy a glass of lemonade from Lucy. She will be serving from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. You’ll impact kids, just like her, dealing with the challenges of cancer at a very young age. And, you’ll come away inspired by this young lady to hopefully do more.
“Every day 46 children are diagnosed with cancer,” shares Walston. “We hope that through our efforts we can help a few of those families, ones in our own community, who are struggling with their child’s illness.”
Contact salons directly to make an appointment for a cut and “like” the Cut-A-Thon page on Facebook for all the details. If you’d like to make a direct donation to help raise money for Friends of Mia and Rhema’s Reality contact Luxe For Style at 360.754.1600.
