Paul MItchell Schools Launch Annual FUNraiser

For the sixth straight year, Paul Mitchell Beauty Schools will spend February through April raising money and awareness for charitable organizations. This year’s supported organizations include the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, City of Hope, Food 4 Africa, and two newcomers: Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Movement and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh kicked off the annual event with school-wide conference calls on February 5, 2009. Every Paul Mitchell School and thousands of Future Professionals joined celebrity guests Leeza Gibbons, Larry King, Fran Drescher, John Paul DeJoria, Angus Mitchell, and Robert Cromeans for the calls, which featured information about the organizations and special messages from each guest.

Emphasizing personal contact with contributors rather than letter-writing campaigns or other hands-off techniques, the schools have scheduled thousands of FUNraising events, including cut-a-thons, fashion shows, bake sales, raffles, “Casual for a Cause” days, and other fun ideas.

Last year’s “FUNraising” exceeded $930,000, shattering all previous records and bringing the five-year total to $2.5 million. This year’s goal is $1.2 million. Announcing his school’s goal of $50,000, Paul Mitchell The School – San Antonio Director John Turnage quoted Future Professional Schalan Marotz, saying “Aim for the moon. If you miss it, you are still in the stars.”