The idea of catalyzing your community into action may sound a bit intimidating, but organizers find that this collective involvement often seem to happen spontaneously, with the cycle of giving taking on a life of its own- no pleading or begging involved. This is a good thing, since Maimonides pointed out that donations given with a “frowning countenance”- reluctantly, or only as the result of pressure – lose much of their intangible grace in the process.

Heidi Lamar, who owns and operates The Lamar Everyday Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, has a very personal stake in her spa’s charitable activities. Lamar’s own mother is a breast cancer survivor. “I wanted to honor all survivors, as well as acknowledge women who had not survived the disease, in such a way that more of us will be around to celebrate again next year,” she explains.

Lamar’s first charitable event took place during the first week of February 2005- a scant four months after she opened her spa. “I had never run a charitable event before. Come to think of it, I had never even attended on before,” she says. “The whole idea came together in about 10days; time. I had no idea that these things usually don’t work out that way.”

Lamar’s inspiration was a swinging New Orleans-inspired Mardi Gras bas to benefit The Brest Cancer Foundation of Arizona, because, she chuckles, “No one can think of Mardi Gras without thinking about breasts.” The “Beads For Breast Mardi Gras Ball” was held at her 5,000-square-foot spa. Invitations hadn’t gone out early enough to give party-goers time to prepare full Mardi Gras-like costumes, so invitee’s were asked to wear festive cocktail attire. The 100-plus guest paid $30 in advance ($40 at the door). Feathered masks were sold at the door for $10 each, and each bore a raffle number. More than 20 local merchants, including a hotel, an art gallery, various restaurants, a gym and a jeweler, donated services and goods. Attendees munched on authentic Big Easy savories including Cajun-style gumbo, crab cakes and smoked oysters with wild rice in puff pastry, while zydeco music rocked the house. “Next year.” Says Lamar, “we’ll start planning earlier. The massage rooms will be set up with fortune-tellers and palm readers, and we’re going to tent the parking lot because we’ll be expecting several hundred guests.”

DaySpa Magazine June 2005

Hosting a bridal spa day can be both rewarding and stressful-for spas and brides. Heidi Lamar, owner of the Lamar Everyday Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, suggests offering bride-to-be hostesses the following tips (perhaps printed on a handy sheet or brochure for safekeeping):

• Don’t treat your spa day like a shower or bachelorette party with silly games and dancers. This is a day for quiet reflection and pampering.
• The larger the group, the more advance notice the spa needs. Consider a midweek, evening event- you may get the whole spa to yourselves!
• Interview spas before choosing a site. Make sure they have adequate facilities and staff.
• A spa coordinator can help you work out details regarding timing and treatment choices.
• Consider a joint spa day that enables the groom and his posse to participate as well!