A local salon is partnering with The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge to raise money for women in need.
On Nov. 6, Canvas Beauty Bar will hold a charity event called Cuts and Cocoa, where it will donate 50 percent of its proceeds for the day to the fund. They, in turn, will give the money to various organizations.
Karen Sabo, the executive director of the Women’s Fund, said they haven’t yet determined which organizations they will donate the proceeds to. In the past, the Women’s Fund has given to organizations like the Western Youth Network, the Children’s Council and Hospitality House.
“We’re not sure yet where [the proceeds] will go,” Sabo said. “We have a list of all the nonprofits we give grants to, but we haven’t designated any of this money specifically yet.”
Miah Zimmerman, one of the co-owners of Canvas Beauty Bar, said an emphasis on philanthropy is one of the key ideals behind the business.
“When we opened Canvas, we really wanted to give back to the community because it is such a tight-knit area,” Zimmerman said. “We’ve donated for a couple different events in the past, but this is the first event we’re hosting that’s at Canvas.”
Baked goods and cocoa will also be provided by local businesses such as Stick Boy Bread Co.
The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge is a nonprofit organization that is focused on supporting women in need.
“We specifically focus on supporting programs for women and girls in the High Country,” said Bria Ikard, an intern for the Women’s Fund. “We do give some money to organizations like the Hospitality House, that serve all genders. But they also have women-specific programs, so we’ll give to the Hospitality House specifically for their women’s shelter.”
Sabo said she hopes this event will raise awareness of the philanthropic organizations in the area as well as the amount of women in need.
“One of the things we’re excited about with this event is it’s a chance to get younger people used to participating in philanthropy,” Sabo said. “There’s a much higher percentage of single moms in poverty than single father families living in poverty, and I think it’s important for people to understand that.”
Story by Tommy Culkin, Senior News Reporter