Recession? What Recession?

Apparently someone forgot to tell the Paul Mitchell Cosmetology Schools about the recession, because they raised $939,906 for charity in just three months, bringing their six-year total to nearly $3.4 million. Future Professionals from the nationwide network spent February, March, and April raising money for seven charities: Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Food 4 Africa, Cancer Schmancer, City of Hope, and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

The grand total and top 10 schools were announced at the annual Magic of Memories dinner, held April 25, 2009, at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California. This year, radio and TV personality Leeza Gibbons shared her hosting duties with TV�s �The Nanny� Fran Drescher and special guests Larry King, Angus Mitchell, and John Paul DeJoria, cofounder and CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems. Larry�s wife Shawn King and son Larry King, Jr., who co-chair the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, were also on hand for the fun.

Kathy Buckley, billed as America�s first hearing-impaired comedian, kicked off the festivities with an irreverent look at life after age 50. In closing, she acknowledged the audience of 300 Paul Mitchell school owners, executives, and guests, saying, �Life is a gift�it is given to us to enjoy and contribute, and you are definitely contributors.�

Rather than seeking huge corporate donations, Paul Mitchell Future Professionals raised the majority of the money through a variety of grassroots fundraising events that involved personal contract with contributors, such as cut-a-thons, fashion shows, bake sales, and raffles, with donations averaging $5 to $10. An auction held during the Paul Mitchell School Owners Summit brought in $28,700 as school owners bid for various items. James Morrison, International Artistic Director of Tony and Guy/TIGI, donated $2,500 to the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation. In 2002, James was speaking at a training with the Paul Mitchell Schools team when they learned that Andrew had committed suicide. In James�s note accompanying his donation, he wrote, �I was there when the news of Andrew�s passing was shared with your group, and I�m so proud of how you�ve honored his memory.�

�All I really wanted was to break our fundraising record from last year so people would know that the changes in the economy do not need to dictate our success�and of course we exceeded last year�s total,� said Winn Claybaugh, dean and cofounder of Paul Mitchell Schools. �During this time of economic confusion, our Paul Mitchell Future Professionals showed that their compassion for those in need is not in a recession. Opening our hearts and wallets sends a wonderful message that we, too, are open to receive the love and support we need. I am so proud to be the dean of these incredible Paul Mitchell visionaries.�

Top 10 FUNraisers 1. $76,962 ... Paul Mitchell The School � Salt Lake City 2. $41,868 ... Cosmetology Career Center � A Paul Mitchell Partner School 3. $39,747 ... Paul Mitchell The School � Great Lakes 4. $37,000 ... North Haven Academy � A Paul Mitchell Partner School 5. $29,227 ... Carolina Academy � A Paul Mitchell Partner School 6. $29,128 ... Paul Mitchell The School � Sterling Heights 7. $28,000 ... Parisian Beauty Academy � A Paul Mitchell Partner School 8. $22,731 ... Paul Mitchell The School � Chicago 9. $22,616 ... Paul Mitchell The School � Nashville 10. $20,000 ... Paul Mitchell The School � Houston 10. $20,000 ... Paul Mitchell The School � San Diego