Salon raises money for resident with brain tumor

A giant Spider-Man cutout greeted visitors of Royale Hair Parlor Sunday as the salon kicked off its Save Rachel’s Brain Cut-A-Thon.

The event helped Bloomington resident Rachel DiGregorio raise money for treatment of her second brain tumor.

A suggested donation for a full haircut was $50, while quick dry cuts, men and kids’ haircuts were $20. The parlor sponsored a silent auction in addition to the money raised from the haircuts.

The items being auctioned came from two dozen local businesses, said Julie McLenachen, front desk manager at Royale. The cutout Spider-Man was an example of the kind of custom character cutout that could be won by entering Vintage Phoenix manager Matt Traughber’s raffle.

Customers placed bids on lots ranging from pieces from local artists, products from stores like Global Gifts, Bloomington Clay Studio and Joan’s Caramels LLC, as well as gift certificates to shops such as Rainbow Bakery, Landlocked Music and BuffaLouie’s.

Emily Hewitt, DiGregorio’s stylist at Royale, put in most of the work spreading the word and acquiring items for the auction. DiGregorio originally met Hewitt through Bridgett Vohland, owner of Royale and DiGregorio’s neighbor.

When Vohland opened Royale in July 2012, she referred DiGregorio to Hewitt.
“It’s really heartwarming to see a community donate such amazing pieces of art for the silent auction,” Hewitt said, as she cut the hair of Erika Brown, who had donated to the Cut-A-Thon. “Everyone is really excited to give money for a good cause and get something in return.”

The Cut-A-Thon isn’t the salon’s first fundraiser. Last spring, Royale Hair Parlor organized a children’s art show inspired by the work of a 4-year old client. Vohland said she was impressed by what children can create with raw talent.

The $1,300 the salon earned from having a silent auction of the children’s art pieces was donated to the Monroe County CASA, a network of volunteers who help abused and neglected children in legal proceedings.

For its donation, Royale was awarded a $2,500 grant from the Hair Dressers at Heart Charity Challenge.

The challenge, sponsored by beauty supply company Wella, is a new program meant to reach out to salons nationwide to spread sustainability and strengthen ties between salons and their communities, Vohland said.

“It’s great for us to have a project to promote teamwork within the salon,”
Vohland said.

One thousand five hundred dollars of the $2,500 grant is going to be used to match donations to CASA this winter, said Molly LeCount, community outreach coordinator for Royale.

Some of the money will also be used to help fund Royale’s second children’s art show, which will take place in April 2014.

“As hair dressers, we’re creative people,” LeCount said. “It’s exciting to have an event for artistic kids. We’re hoping to beat last year.”

Halfway through the Cut-A-Thon, more than $1,000 had been raised from haircuts alone, McLenachen said.

Vohland said she hopes the salon’s efforts will diminish the stereotype that hair stylists are superficial people.

“We’re more than that,” she said. “We’re a business, and we can choose how to give our time and help others.”

According to the fundraiser’s page on giveforward.com, $5,340 has been raised for DiGregorio as of Sept. 29.

“It’s amazing to see such a supportive community,” DiGregorio said. “Y’all know how to make a girl feel good about having a brain tumor.”