Below is an article illustrating what our services can do for your event. It was designed for a newspaper or other printed publication, and it tells the story of the Spa Day Cancer Support Foundation, Inc. put on recently.
Spa Day Brings Fun for a Great Cause
On Saturday, November 7th, 2009, Cancer Support Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) held their first Spa Day at the Homewood Suites by Hilton® in Columbia, Maryland to benefit cancer patients. CSFI provides financial resources to everyone undergoing cancer treatment in Maryland, and the $20 entry fee was waived for people currently undergoing cancer treatment. President Cindy Carter was very gracious as she thanked sponsors, vendors, and attendees for their support. Maryland State Senator James Robey joined Carter in a ribbon cutting ceremony and praised her efforts. The event was supported by a number of businesses in the community, including Bizness Concepts, Duchess Web Design, Events by Pam, Kinney Writers Group, Markovitz Photography, Mortgage Associates, Network Referral Group, Perfect World Network, SetterDrive.com, and the Women’s Expo Forum, as well as the many vendors who educated, beautified, fed, and otherwise pampered the more then 200 people there. Homewood Suites provided a comfortable atmosphere for the event. “For us it’s truly an honor,” said Julia Mattis, Director of Sales at the Homewood Suites. She praised the event’s ability “to reinforce that there’s still a lot of good human spirit around.”
Some people called Carter to make sure the Spa Day was really happening because “it sounded too good to be true.” She was not surprised at the “phenomenal turnout” because “people buying tickets told me how much they really wanted to be pampered.” Attendees spent up to 8 hours getting samples of pampering activities including seated massage, shiatsu massage, foot reflexology, aroma therapy, Acutonics®, Quantum-Touch®, reiki, and foot detox. “I think I’ve done almost 80 people today,” said Shari Sternberger of Elements of Energy, LLC, who uses the Acutonics® healing system. Spa Day attendees also received skin analysis, makeovers, facials and were educated on the benefits of acupuncture, chiropractic services, and other wellness strategies. Kiona Leah of Healthy by Kiona, a fitness company using the T-Tapp workout, held a Hoe Down Show Down to really get the blood moving and wake up the muscles. “I’m very happy,” said Leah. “[I’m] looking forward to the next two [Spa Days] in March and April.”
Businesses also helped by making donations to the Spa Day. Sixteen food vendors provided the attendees with great food, which was included in the entrance fee. These dishes included Mediterranean salad by Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Ellicott City, Chicken Gilberto by Louis Chernock Catering, fresh fruit arrangements by Edible Arrangements of Catonsville, chicken chili by Supper Thyme, gourmet brownies by Bistro Brownies, salad cake by Saladmaster, Moroccan meatballs by Slow Down and Eat, Wilbur Beans by Famous Dave’s, water by Kangen Water, a decorated cake by Patti’s Cakes, the truffles of Truffles by Emily, and Spa Day baskets from Fruition Gifts Fruit and Snack Baskets. Several businesses donated items for a silent auction, giving them exposure and allowing them to show their support, even if they couldn’t be vendors. Auction items included jewelry and gift certificates for massage, fitness training, and some of the other pampering activities featured at the event.
The first Spa Day met Carter's goals, and future events will continue to provide great value to attendees with fantastic food and pampering services for a low price. There will be Spa Days on Sunday, March 21st, 2010 at Baltimore's Best Confetti Event Center in Towson, Maryland and on Saturday, April 17th, 2010 at the Big Vanilla Gym in Pasadena, Maryland. Other Spa Days are being planned. The first one honored Sharon Gutkoska, who passed away in September, and future Spa Days will honor other cancer patients. At the March Spa Day, kosher foods will be provided, and "we're probably going to have double the amount of [spa service] vendors," said Carter. "All of the vendors, with the exception of maybe one, will actually be offering a hands-on spa service." A mini Spa Day will also be held at the American Cancer Society's Western Howard County Relay for Life in June 2010. "That's my audience," Carter said.
The Spa Days struck a cord with the business community, “There’s no end to the number of vendors that want to be involved.” Carter partners with businesses of all sorts who support CSFI in exchange for some exposure for their businesses. The Spa Days “are off to a good start,“ she said. “We just have to be very smart about making sure we’re always offering a good service to everybody.”