Promise Harvest Hair: Day of service offers little things that make a big difference
SUN Spotlight On: Salon Cheveux Amor
Owner: Kee-Kee Ross
834 South Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
Appts: Sunday, By Appointment Only; Monday, Closed; Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Specialties: The salon combines beauty and technology to create a premier full-service salon that offers high end services that include hairstyling, haircuts, hair coloring, weaves, and make-up services
215-923-9243
Facebook: Salon Cheveux Amor
By Leah Fletcher
Sometimes it is the little things that make a big difference in the way we feel. For those who feel challenged by life financially, emotionally or physically, the little things may be monumentally huge.
For emotionally abused and battered women or homeless men or developmentally disabled adults or cancer survivors, the gifts of caring and giving are powerful. And, they are gifts Kee-Kee Ross, a South Philadelphia beauty salon owner, gives year after year at her Promise Harvest Hair event.
The Promise Harvest Hair event, Ross' brainchild, has a twofold purpose. "It gives me an opportunity to thank the community for its support and to provide services to a segment of the community that stands to benefit in so many ways from the services offered," explained Ross, a 15-year veteran of the beauty industry.
On a day (Monday) when beauty salons are normally closed, more than 300 men, women and children, invited from an array of social service agencies, filled the gymnasium at the PAL Ford Community Center in South Philadelphia. They were there, if but for a moment, as an army of 70 volunteers—barbers, hair stylist, braiders, make-up artists and manicurist —offered their time to pamper and treat each to a special moment.
Ross along with her staff and her crew of volunteers, clad in festive-colored pumpkin and spice T-shirts, displaying the names of participants, manned a series of stations that treated guests to everything from fade haircuts to trendy hairstyles. The services, which were free, generally cost between $20 and $300.
"Many have lived in the shadows most of their lives and visiting the Promise Hair Harvest event is the first time some have received professional salon or barbering services," said Darrel Gaston, a counselor with Horizon House. Gaston spoke with great emotion as he watched his 10 male and female charges respond with glee while receiving new hairstyles and haircuts.
Sandra Schofield, a two-time cancer survivor, was referred to the event by the nursing staff of her local hospital. After undergoing chemotherapy treatments and experiencing the temporary loss of her hair, Schofield was elated with the specialty wig cap designed by Sheri McKenzie and the make-up update completed by Renee McLin, both staffers of Salon Cheveux Amor. "It's great to know that people care," said Schofield as she gazed into a hand-held mirror admiring her new look.
'What makes this event unique is the array of services offered and the variety of participants, who are a reflection of the city's varied neighborhoods, " said Ross.
Guests also enjoyed a scrumptious Thanksgiving Dinner as the music of old school artists, like Frankie Beverly and Maze, played in the background, inviting attendees to participate in a free-style Soul Train line dance.
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