LEEZA'S PLACE HOSTS SPECIAL GUESTS

Leeza's Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center hosted a group of students from Paul Mitchell School on February 8, 2008 for an afternoon of education, energy, and inspiration. The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation (www.leezasplace.org) and Paul Mitchell The School (www.paulmitchelltheschool.com) have worked together over the years to provide services to caregivers who have turned to Leeza's Place for support and strength.

An Afternoon with Leeza Gibbons

Leeza's Place hosted thirty-two students and staff from The Campus, A Paul Mitchell Partner School from Normal, IL. On February 8, the students arrived at Leeza's place to listen to a taped broadcast of Winn Claybaugh (Dean and Co- Founder of Paul Mitchell The School), Larry King, Leeza Gibbons, and John Paul DeJoria. For the fifth consecutive year, this special broadcast inspires students and staff across the country to raise money for their favorite charities. In 2007, the Paul Mitchell Schools raised $615,000 for their charities. This year's recipients are The Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, and Food 4 Africa. Money raised for the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation will benefit the seven Leeza's Places across the country, including Leeza's Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Each year the students and staff come up with creative, fun ways to raise money for their charities (cut-a-thons, pet fashion shows, pampering days, to name a few). As a relatively new Paul Mitchell School, John Kanski, Director of The Campus, gave his students and staff the incredible opportunity to visit Leeza's Place personally and learn about the programs and services provided to caregivers and families in our community. As a bonus, they received a personal call from Gibbons that uplifted everyone and inspired them all. "Leeza's message is always so heartfelt and so very poignant," said Kathy A. Miller, Leeza's Care Advocate at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. "I am inspired every time I hear her speak. The students and staff felt her energy and the energy of Leeza's Place. Having the chance to speak personally with Leeza, and a personal call from Winn Claybaugh, was the highlight of their trip to Joliet." The message from Leeza and Winn is that as individuals what they do to help others does make a difference.

The students received a lunch provided by Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center and door prizes from Leeza's Place. The door prizes included t-shirts with the Leeza's Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center logo on the front, keepsake ornaments, and a Leeza's "Reflections" CD.

Leeza's Place and Paul Mitchell The School

Leeza's Place has teamed up with Paul Mitchell The School to offer caregivers a special treat. Throughout the year, hair, nail, and massage treatments from students at The School have helped caregivers relax and recuperate. As a thank you to the students, Leeza's Place is giving back with a day of care aimed at their needs.

"As a parallel course [to how they've helped us], and as a mental health organization, [Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation] wants to return the favor to all [Paul Mitchell] schools," said James Huysman, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation. Dr. Huysman will be offering to do free creative, fun and experiential half-day recharge workshops for all students, salon workers, and school administrators for all Paul Mitchell Schools that are geographically close to a Leeza's Place.

For more information on Leeza's Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, visit www.provena.org/stjoes/LeezasPlace.