PARTNERSHIPS WITH ESTABLISHED CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS and other non-profits can be a great way for spas and resource partners to give back . Dazzle Dry ’ s ongoing partnership with WeForest is an excellent example .“ Through our partnership with WeForest , we continued funding the planting of trees and teaching the inhabitants of the reforested areas how to manage the forest and other means of livelihood to have a more sustainable way of life ,” says Dazzle Dry President and CEO Vivian Valenty . Since Earth Day 2018 , the initiative has planted more than 210,000 trees in nations such as India and Zambia — one for every retail order placed on the company ’ s website .

Valenty adds that the company supports a selection of other non-profit organizations and explains that her team takes time each year to evaluate what that support will look like . Many of the other groups Dazzle Dry works with emphasize the empowerment of girls and women , including the Girls Opportunity Alliance , which aids adolescent girls and the grassroots leaders who work to educate them ; Black Girls Code , which provides technology- and science-focused education to African American girls ; and A Call to Men , an organization that provides training and education to men to help prevent violence and discrimination against women .

FUSIONS SPA & WELLNESS , A DAY SPA in Sylva , North Carolina supports a number of local groups and charities that serve everyone from abuse victims to animals to public school students . Owner Jeannine Sowers explains that not every generous act is performed in the name of her business : “ Sometimes , it ’ s just necessary to pitch in . It ’ s important that employees know of the company ’ s efforts to help the community , and to encourage participation .”

The spa ’ s causes include A . W . A . K . E . ( Adults Working and Advocating for Kids in abusive situations ), Uncomplicated Kitchen ( a non-profit that provides food security training ) and Advocates for Animals ( a four-county organization that supports animal welfare and vet care ). In addition to direct financial support , Sowers says the spa hosts events and donates gift baskets to support some causes , and she herself serves on A . W . A . K . E .’ s fundraising committee . After a difficult 2020 which saw the spa ’ s donations somewhat limited in the wake of its temporary closure last spring , Sowers is thrilled to be able to support these and other cherished causes in 2021 , noting that she saw it as “ imperative for everyone to pitch in and help the community in every way possible .”

A few of the charities Fusions Spa & Wellness supports in their community .

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22 PULSE ⁿ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021