Three prize winners for this year’s #WellaCares Challenge, run by the salon professional division of P&G, have been revealed. The division presented prizes of $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500 to salons that are committed to charity-related efforts.
The grand prize winner was Adrienne Peters from Revel 8 Salon & Spa. The $7,500 awarded to her was due to her work on Fostering a Revelation which is a movement that started at her salon that takes children who are aging out of foster care and brings them into the Revel 8 salon family. Adrienne mentors them through hair school, makes sure their expenses are covered during their training as well as at the beginning of their careers.
The second prize winner was Mandie Barnes from Avenue Salon, who was awarded $5,000 for her work with Haircuts for the Homeless. She provided people in need with free haircuts on their day off and also provided socks, mittens and food.
“I’d like to not only give free haircuts in downtown Salt Lake City, but I’d like to get shampoo bowls so we can actually wash their hair,” Barnes said. “I’d like to give out fresh clean shirts, and of course food. With the prize I was awarded I feel we can reach a lot more people and do more than we did last year. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to do more for my community.”
The third prize winner was Stephanie Gearheart from Prime Designz Salon who was awarded $2,500 for her work with The Daisy Project. The Daisy Project is a charity that provides children with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate on playgrounds by installing adaptive equipment such as wheelchair accessible swing sets and auto-sensory equipment.
“My dedication to improving the lives of children with disabilities will not stop with a swing set,” said Gearheart. “We recently committed our fundraising efforts to purchasing an adaptive merry-go-round so children can ride along with their siblings and parents, together we can make a difference.”
