Community Corner

Hair Creations Puts in Extra Hours For Autism Speaks

Employees raised more than $1,200 for the fundraiser Monday afternoon.

Ten staff members at on Halstead Avenue went to work Monday morning on their day off to raise money for Autism Speaks, a national charity promoting autism awareness and research.

The hair salon is usually closed on Mondays, but instead opened its doors to offer $50 haircuts, $25 eyebrow trims or $10 hair extentions with 100 percent of that money going to the charity. The staff volunteered to work in shifts throughout the day without pay so all proceeds could be donated.

With a few appointments still to go Monday afternoon they had already raised nearly $1,200.

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"We just wanted to do something for the community and it just felt like the perfect time," said store manager Anthony Rende, who said he became involved with the charity through Cris Spinner, a friend who has an autistic child.

Along with the Harrison High School PTA, Spinner will present on May 14 at the Harrison Performing Arts Center. Hair Creations will continue to donate proceeds from hair extentions until that event so students can get their hair done before the event and still help out.

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Paper for fliers and other supplies were donated by who jumped at the chance to help, said Brenda Maeda, a co-owner of Hair Creations.

"Pretty much anything that we needed" was donated, she said.

Monday's fundraiser was open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Rende said there was a steady flow of customers in and out of the store. Since Hair Creations is usually closed Mondays, most of the people stopping by were there to help the charity even if they weren't due for a haircut.

Maeda said her and the salon's other owner Lisa Ferrari have hosted charities before and that when Rende brought the idea to them they didn't hesitate to help.

"The percentages (of people with autism) has gone way up," Maeda said. "We want to be more aware, involve the community — involve everyone so they know."


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