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2014 Write-offs to Benefit Charity (and You)

In need of a few write-offs for the 2014 tax year? Charity organizations could use the help. While closing out your books for the year, consider giving to one (or more) charities of your choice. If you’re in need of a little inspiration, consider one of these worthy causes… The American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/ For over 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer. Together with millions of supporters worldwide, they help people stay well and get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer. Feeding America http://www.feedingamerica.org Their mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. UNICEF https://www.unicefusa.org UNICEF’s vision is a better world for children everywhere. UNICEF does whatever it takes to save and protect the world’s most vulnerable children. Forty years ago, UNICEF figured out that promoting simple, low-cost interventions like hand washing and breastfeeding could save millions of lives. Undaunted by war or geography, UNICEF delivers. Make a Wish http://wish.org Make-A-Wish® grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories, on average, every 38 minutes. Wishes make life better for kids with life-threatening medical conditions. This simple, but powerful belief drives Make-A-Wish. United Way http://www.unitedway.org United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives. United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. ASPCA https://www.aspca.org/ For over 140 years, the ASPCA has worked tirelessly to put an end to animal abuse and neglect. They are a national leader in the areas of rescue, adoption and welfare. St Jude Children’s Hospital http://www.stjude.org St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, founded in 1962, is a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children’s catastrophic diseases. Have a favorite cause you’d like to add to the list? Give ’em a shout-out below!
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Toys for Tots Toy Drive

Are you looking for a worthy charity for your salon’s holiday fundraising efforts? This year, consider Toys for Tots. The national Toys for Tots program proudly delivers a message of hope along with a new toy to less fortunate children in the community during the holidays. 

How it Works

Local toy collection campaigns last until mid to late December.  Members of the community drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses.  Toys for Tots coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted.  At Christmas toys are distributed to the less fortunate children of the community. Over the years Toys for Tots has established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies, which are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.

While Toys for Tots Coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community including business leaders and the generosity of the people who donate toys.  If you are interested in having your salon become a collection center, or you wish to make a single donation, contact Toys for Tots through their website at http://www.toysfortots.org. Make the difference in the life of a less fortunate child in your area!

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Children With Hair Loss

“Covering Young Heads To Heal Young Hearts”™

Written by: Doug Smith Photo’s: Courtesy of Children With Hair Loss

CWHL (Children With Hair Loss) opened their doors September, 2000 after Founder and CEO Regina Villemure witnessed firsthand the devastating effects hair loss has on young children. Her niece, Sarah, diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age three, underwent five years of chemo therapy and Regina immediately identified an opportunity to provide human hair replacements for so many children in need.  Mom, Grandma, Hairdresser, Instructor, Hair Replacement Specialist and former Salon Owner, Regina was inspired to use her power to give children the confidence and security that comes along with a full head of hair.

CWHL is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with the mission of improving the lives of children suffering from hair loss by providing human hair replacements and care kits at NO COST to them or their families. CWHL doesn’t stop there! They also provide support and education about hair replacements to those very children, as well as the many volunteer hairdressers and barbers who donate their time and hearts to this noble cause. CWHL also provides all of their products and services to their recipients on an annual basis FREE OF CHARGE until they reach age 21. Originally CWHL focused on helping children fighting cancer. Through the years, however, the organization came to realize there are “a lot of other reasons why children lose hair including Alopecia, burns, Trichotillomania and other rare diseases and disorders.”  Over the 13 year history of CWHL, the organization has helped thousands of children (at no cost). Currently CWHL helps an average of 300 children annually.

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 HAIRDRESSERPOWER.COM invites all subscribers to consider getting involved with CWHL. Here are some ways you can help.
  • Volunteer as a cosmetologist or barber providing free styling and care for a child’s hair replacement
  • Follow CWHL on Twitter and TWEET and/or LIKE their Facebook page. SHARE with your friends and post photos and comments of hair donors on their wall using the hashtag #CutPassLove
  • Host a Cut-a-Thon or Hair Raiser event at your salon or barber shop. CWHL can help with a packet of posters, brochures, balloons, stickers and hair donation forms for donors
To learn more about Children With Hair Loss, get involved or simply make a donation, visit http://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/  
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MARVELOUS MOVEMBER

As Hairdressers, we have the power to influence awareness in our community and potentially save lives. Bouncing between therapist, social advisor and style maker with our clients, we often influence thought and create social movement with the simplest conversations. For the past few years I’ve noticed a growing number of men sporting a mustache during the month of November. When I would ask, I was told it was for Movember – an official global charity whose vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. The idea is that men, referred to as Mo Bro’s (Mo being short for mustache) register at the official Movember website – grow a mustache during the month of November, and raise funds and awareness for testicular and prostate cancer, as well as men’s mental health. The moustache serves as a visual conversation starter to bring much needed awareness to those men’s health challenges. Women can become Mo Sistas by registering, raising funds and starting conversations with friends (and clients) about men’s health. Basically Mo Sistas do everything that Mo Bros do…without the Mo. At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate the success of their efforts by hosting their own Movember event, or attending one of the many official “Gala Parties” held around the world. Globally, the funds raised by Mo Bros and Mo Sistas support men’s health programs that focus on awareness and education, living with and beyond cancer, staying mentally healthy, living with and beyond mental illness and research to achieve an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. To learn more about Movember and register as a participant, visit http://us.movember.com The site is well organized and packed with tons of information regarding men’s health awareness, early cancer detection and treatment, and support for mental health challenges. So come on fellow HAIRDRESSERPOWER members, let’s proudly grow our Mo’s to help build awareness and make a difference!
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BEAUTY CHANGES LIVES… PAY IT FORWARD!

Established in 2012, the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is a testimony to the POWER of every beauty professional. This non-profit organization was initiated by the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) with a vision to “build awareness and support of beauty as a premiere career of choice.” According to Lynelle Lynch, President of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation; “We understand that every magazine cover, fashion show, celebrity red carpet moment and TV appearance are shining examples of each beauty professionals’ talent and how we change lives” As hairdressers, we bring that talent to our local level every time we perform a service on a guest in our salons and spa’s. Think about it – how many times have you shared tears of joy with your client simply because you were able to change their perspective and make them feel beautiful?   The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation brings a two pronged approach to their cause. 1. Building Our Community The foundation tirelessly promotes beauty as a premiere professional choice for consumers. Through industry endorsements from celebrity stylists such as Ted Gibson (who served as the foundations first spokesperson), the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is determined to change lives through recruitment to an industry staged for growth percentages that will out-pace average U.S. employment in the next several years. The Legacy of Style Event, sponsored annually by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, celebrates the elite professionals in the industry who have elevated the perception of the career through their work. These accomplished leaders make a profound impact on the community through their craft and generosity. Their passion for the industry and their role as a mentor to others is celebrated through the annual award presented at the event. Beauty and consumer press attend the event to ensure that the word is spread to potential new beauty professionals. 2. Paying It Forward The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is a 501c3 (non-profit organization) that provides scholarships in cosmetology, esthetics, nail programs, barbering and massage therapy for prospective and current students. There are also scholarships available to licensed beauty professionals designed to further develop talent and support growth within our community. As a Global Community, it’s time for all of us here at HAIRDRESSERPOWER.COM to get involved. Each of us can “pay it forward” in our own way. Here are some of the partnership opportunities for you to make a difference. Scholarship Funding & Donations: Support Beauty Changes Lives by funding a scholarship through their Named Scholarship Program. Become a Mentor: Apply to the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation to share your wealth of experience in the industry by becoming a Celebrity Mentor for a beauty school student. Become an Industry Judge: Qualifying beauty professionals are invited to electronically judge video and essay entries of scholarship applicants. The time commitment is minimal but the rewards are huge. Share Your Story: How did beauty change your life? Share with the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation how this industry has changed your life and how you change the lives of others in your profession. Email your story to info@beautychangeslives.org Create a Fundraising Event: Create fundraising opportunities in your business or school to support the Beauty Changes Lives General Scholarship Fund. Consider hosting an event where the proceeds are divided between a local charity of your choice and the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. It’s a great opportunity to get involved in your local community and support a national cause! To learn more about the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation and how to get involved, visit www.beautychangeslives.com. Help build our community and ensure a bright future for existing talent. Your involvement can be the perfect change for someone’s life near you.  
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A Salon With A Cause

I work at Salon Gianna in Bakersfield, CA and the following is my story of inspiration. We started our unique salon concept with a small staff of myself, the owner, a manager and an esthetician. Through determination, hard work and word of mouth we have grown into a family that celebrates creativity doing what we love (hair) while giving back to an important cause. How do we give back? All proceeds from the retail sales at our salon go directly to Gianna’s Research. Read on to hear our wonderful story. To us it’s inspirational and… SO COOL!!! Gianna’s Story Gianna was born a beautiful healthy baby girl. At 6 months, however, she started having seizures and was diagnosed with a very severe form of epilepsy. She suffered from several hundred seizures every day – making it impossible for her to eat or drink by mouth. Other symptoms included aspiration issues, hypertonia (low muscle tone), and severe developmental delays. Doctors had little hope for Gianna, and many did not think she would live past age 5. We were told by specialists that “whatever is wrong with Gianna is so rare that at this point it is most likely undiscovered.” We were then encouraged by those same “specialists” to give up and focus on having other children. As loving parents we refused to give up, and continued to search for a diagnosis. Finally, at age 2 she was diagnosed with CDG (Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation). Formerly called carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome, CDG is a group of inherited disorders that affect a process called glycosylation. One of the main results of CDG is the disruption of normal growth and function of all tissues and organs in the body. Since her diagnosis, Gianna has, and continues to surpass Doctors expectations. Her inspiring determination and incredible hard work with so many different therapies (hyperbaric oxygen, feeding therapy, intensive suit therapy, CME therapy, acupuncture and much, much more) has helped with her progress. Gianna still has intractable seizures daily, but can now eat and drink without the aid of a feeding tube. She plays with toys, and is a constant reminder that anything is possible – and to never give up!!! Salon Gianna’s Mission Salon Gianna was created to raise ongoing research funds to help find a cure, and raise awareness of CDG. All proceeds from Salon Gianna retail sales go to The Rocket Fund at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. Research programs for rare and neglected disease(s) is tragically under-funded. The lack of understanding of these types of disease is extremely heartbreaking when children are suffering. Support of The Rocket Fund will enable further cutting-edge investigation of rare and neglected childhood disease, including research into other causes and efforts to devise new medicines for possible treatment. Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG) Children born with CDG have inherited mutations in genes that directs Glycosylation. Glycosylation is the process by which cells coat proteins with sugars. Lack of sugars disrupts cell growth, differentiation and communication. CDG is actually a group of many diseases, each characterized by a mutation in a different gene. In the past decade, mutations in 38 different genes have been identified as causes of CDG, and new genes are still being discovered. Symptoms of CDG vary widely. Some examples include developmental delays, digestive problems, seizures and low blood sugar. New diagnoses are increasing every year as doctors become more aware of this family of diseases, and scientists identify more genes involved in glycosylation. The Rocket Fund will be used to advance pioneering research projects on a wide range of children’s diseases at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. If you would like to make a Tax deductible donation to “The Rocket Fund for CDG Research”, please visit their website at: www.sanfordburnham.org Name: Sheila Marie Rodowicz Salon: Salon Gianna City: Bakersfield