Giving Back is Always in Style
Whether you are decorating the second Halloween is over, or you don't even put up a tree, you cannot deny that the months of November and December bring a special aura of happiness around the world. According to Business Wire, donations increase by 42% during the holiday season; that means three times more people donate during the holiday months as opposed to non-holiday months. ‘Tis the season of Christmas lights, gatherings with loved ones, and getting asked to bring your scissors home over holiday break…
As a stylist, we get the joy of changing people's lives everyday, whether it’s giving confidence through a new haircut, getting someone out of their slump by refreshing their color, or simply being a listening ear and allowing someone to let loose while washing their hair. The true power behind a stylist, however, is being able to make a difference outside of the salon by branching out to the community.
Ways to Give Back, Today and Everyday:
In-salon Help:
Get creative with the ways your salon team can work together to make a difference.
Events and promotions with proceeds going to a choice organization
Haircuts for the homeless with job interviews
Silent haircuts for veterans
Locks of Love:
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hair to children with long-term hair loss.
Locations: Everywhere
Requirements for hair: Attached on website
Look Good, Feel Good
https://lookgoodfeelbetter.org
Look Good Feel Better is a non-profit organization that teaches beauty techniques to people with cancer.
What do we do? This program consists of volunteer beauty professionals instructing cancer patients on self-care to help them manage the appearance-related side effects of their treatment.
Locations in Michigan and Ohio
Requirements: Certification class
3-5 hours monthly
Hospice:
https://hospicefoundation.org/Volunteer
This program gives to those who are not able to enjoy the simple luxury of getting to a hair salon. Hospice volunteers describe their work as gratifying, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally meaningful.
Requirements: Orientation and training
Locations: Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and many other states
Volunteering can be intimidating, with trainings, monetary donations, and time. However, if you think about how much time you spend on your leisure time, and you really break it down, a couple of hours a month doesn't seem so bad. The payback on how you make people feel and the relationships you make are priceless. We bring a special value because not many industries have the ability to treat through physical touch. It is statistically proven the better you feel on the outside, the better you will feel on the inside.
Personal Testimony:
Hospice is one of the ways I chose to give back as a stylist, and I have been a part of this program for just over 6 months. Since entering this industry, I always knew that what we do is a special type of talent both creatively and mentally. I was initially intimidated by the training that went into volunteering, but since going through it, I can tell you that it is extremely helpful and necessary. Being a part of a hospice volunteer program has opened my eyes, and hospice has been standing by my side the entire time. For anyone on the fence, I would tell you that you don't know what you can or can’t handle until you try.
