Six salons in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania faced a long rebuilding process after they were destroyed in August by the one-two punch of Hurricane Irene and a severe tropical storm just several days later. Massive flooding forced these businesses to close, and it took weeks and even months to repair and rebuild. Just before Christmas, these salons, along with three neighboring salons that offered work spaces to many of the displaced stylists, received a welcome boost from the Matrix Chairs of Change initiative.

Led by Matrix vice president and general manager Colin Walsh, and joined by Al DiTulio, president of the local A&A Beauty Supply Company, a team of well-wishers made surprise visits to each salon to celebrate their re-openings. The group presented the owners with six months’ worth of Matrix professional products to help them regain their business momentum, an Elchim blow dryer for each stylist, and an assortment of product samples for clients. The salons will also receive a full-day education class with Matrix artistic director Daniel Roldan, gift baskets to raffle off to clients, and incremental Matrix Friends and Family points. The Chairs of Change team also visited the three "helping" salons and surprised them with products and gifts as well.

Tammy Babcock, owner of The Cutting Edge in Owego, N.Y. — one of the recipients — says that the disaster turned her life upside down. "One day we were working," she says, "and the next day our building was flooded with three feet of water and we were out of business." Babcock was forced to gut her salon and tear out all of the floors and walls, but she was back in business in just five weeks. "I was so concerned about my clients," she says, "but most of them waited and they were so happy when we reopened!"

— Judy

Beauty for Good spotlights beauty products, services, and events that benefit a good cause. To be considered for this column, leave a comment below or e-mail details to features editor Judy at Judy.Lessin[at]bobit.com.