Spa Places in the News

ISPA Members Make Plans to Give Back to Their Communities This Holiday Season

LEXINGTON, Ky. - While many people will share the gift of a spa experience with family and friends this upcoming holiday season, numerous spa professionals will give their time and energy as a gift to charities and causes.

"Spa professionals are taking their nurturing and healing touch out into their communities and making a real difference," said ISPA President Lynne Walker McNees. "Whether it is helping underprivileged or ill children, local churches or animal shelters, ISPA members plan to take time out this holiday season to give back to humanity."

A sample of ISPA members that are offering holiday charity initiatives this year include:

The Flamingo Resort and Spa at Montecito Heights in California will host the Giving Tree Program. The Giving Tree will contain hearts with wish items for more than 5,000 underprivileged children in Sonoma County. The resort and spa are hosting the kick-off event for the program and will also donate money to provide gifts for any hearts that are still on the tree at the end of the program.

Every year during the holiday season, Paris Parker Salons and Spas throughout Louisiana partner with the New Orleans Children's Hospital. The spas sell holiday cards designed by children who are currently admitted in the hospital. All sales go to directly to the hospital.

SpaEthos in Vancouver, British Columbia holds an annual Christmas fundraiser called "Pooch 'n Smooch." On Dec. 11, clients and their dogs are invited to the charity event to celebrate life and community while supporting local charities. The event includes neck and shoulder massages and make-up tips for the humans, while their furry friends will receive treats from a local dog bakery, pet massages and photos with Santa and his elves. Donations will be accepted for the local animal shelter and the Vancouver Food Bank Society.

Bath & Body Works is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the fourth year in a row this holiday season. Bath & Body Works will be selling a Make-A-Wish candle with 10 percent of the proceeds from each candle going to the foundation.

Brenda Christian Cosmetics, Inc. of Florida is committed to helping Operation Smile in its fight against childhood facial deformities. In 22 years, Operation Smile's volunteers have provided free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in more than 20 developing countries and the United States. During the 2004 holiday season, 10 percent of sales from Brenda Christian's French Kiss Lip Gloss will be donated to Operation Smile.

To build relationships within the community, Enhance Face & Body Spa in Hartsdale, N.Y. recently designed a program where they work with local churches to implement a charitable program for clients who are also members of a congregation. During the holidays, the congregants will receive a five percent discount on all spa services plus, another five percent will be donated back to their respective church.