Big Month for Salon Cause-Awareness Campaigns

By Rebecca Pray

Does your salon engage the community in fundraising efforts for charitable causes? The holidays are almost upon us, and there’s no better time to show-off your goodwill than the months of October through December. And, with October and November landing square on the tail-end of JASON, a charity campaign can be the perfect boost to transition your kickoff into the busy season.

As I was scrolling the news online today, a headline came up for a California salon’s fundraising plan, “San Francisco Costa del Sol Tanning Salon Announces They Pledge Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” The press release reads:

San Francisco Costa del Sol Tanning Salon is observing October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month by donating 10 percent of its sales from products and tanning services to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a non-profit organization seeking to find an immediate cure to the disease. The promotion will begin on Thursday, October 20 and conclude on the evening of Monday, October 24.

“October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Costa del Sol Tanning is beginning a new tradition which we aim to follow every October,” says Deneice Holbert of Costa del Sol.

Beginning October 1, airbrush tanning customers of Costa del Sol Tanning in San Francisco can enter into a drawing to win a gift bag containing many great “pink” supportive items, as well as items donated by local businesses that support this worthwhile cause. The final drawing will be held October 31.

Pink ribbons and items have become the universal symbol of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The color is seen everywhere during October because wearing pink helps create awareness. Bringing awareness allows the public to learn that one in 20 women will be affected by Breast Cancer. It allows the education of people on the signs and symptoms of the disease, and steps to follow for early detection.

For more information on this promotion, how you can help support Breast Cancer Awareness Month or information on the products and services of Costa del Sol Tanning, contact them at 415-529-4249 or visit them online at costadelsoltanning.com.

The article ends with an informational blurb about the salon, in keeping with the traditional format of a press release. Whether your salon is actively participating in fundraisers – or has yet to begin – make sure you publicize your efforts in every way possible. Search online for tips on how to write a press release, and then make sure you distribute it to the local media (TV, newspapers, online “what’s happening around town” or calendar pages, etc.) in advance of your event. Don’t forget the obvious – social media such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as other avenues of marketing, such as e-mail, text and mailings.

From October’s focus on breast cancer to November at the food banks and December’s opportunities to embrace needy families and kids through the holidays, there is no shortage of causes to help unite civic-minded businesses with their communities. Which causes do you target and what have you done? We’d love to hear about it! Drop us a line via the Comments feature below.

Rebecca Pray is the Program Administrator for the National Tanning Training Institute (NTTI), which provides online tanning certification 24/7 with no membership fee.