I recently visited my friend Beth Menneto owner of Angelina Salon in North Spokane. I wanted to find out more about their drive to fight cancer called “Feather Me Pink.” I wound up becoming part of the story and got Feathered Pink myself.

Spokane Area Politicians Mike Fagan, Jeff Holy and Matt Shea along with Beth Menneto hold up signs promoting Feather Me Pink

Tell me how Feather Me Pink came about?

Three of us were talking about how we needed to put feathers and pink hair in for charity. (Melissa’s mother, our esthetician, had battled breast cancer the year before. We were well aware of salons benefiting from this trend donating only $1-$5 (not all of them).  We decided to be clear that the salon gets no financial benefit.  Also, the entire staff (those participating anyway) work for free.  We chose American Cancer Society since three people from our shop dedicate time to Look Good Feel Better through American Cancer Society.  Also, we recognize all cancer to be devastating…. not just breast cancer.

What happens when I come in to make a donation?

Someone making a donation is charted on our roster with their donation amount.  This includes those paying for extensions… all money is accounted for.  Angelina Salon and Spa will issue the first check this week and will post the amount on Facebook.  We are continuing to put extensions in through the month of November at only $10 per extension.  These are Babe extensions (professional).  The choices of colors will be pink, fushia, dark blue, red and dark purple.

Tell me where your shop is and what kind of services you offer?

Our shop is located at the back side of a strip mall at 8701 N Division.  This is the same strip mall that the newest Dutch Bros. opened. (The corner of Price and Division just before the “Y”).

We offer cuts, colors, foils, perms, waxing, facials and lash extensions.

Feather Me Pink isn’t the only thing you’re involved in…tell me about the other things.

Our other charity “Spokane Glass Slipper” is an involvement of many local officials and businesses.  It is an evening event where six Honorees are chosen out of Spokane for inspiring those around them.  We honor two couples, one single woman and one single man.  Local businesses provide food for all present and attire for our Honorees.  Also, gift donations are accepted from businesses in the form of baskets and gift certificates that we evenly distribute to the Honorees.  Our Master of Ceremonies delivers the four sets of biographies as appropriate music plays for each of their stories.  Our panel of judges asks questions to understand the level of pain, sacrifice, joy etc. may have played into why the four sets of people chose to give of themselves.  The judges decide which Honoree has overcome the greatest turmoil and has yet managed to have the greatest positive impact on those around them.

All Honorees are rewarded with equal gifts, one person or one couple is chosen as the most miraculous example of selflessness.

As an attendee to this event you are blown away!  You hear of the pain of raising brain damaged children, losing a limb, going blind, living with post traumatic stress disorder, losing a friend to murder, being financially broke and that was just the 2012 event.  Sounds depressing, but you also hear of helping pull recent vets out of their despair, reaching those who lost an appendage, volunteering for Special Olympics and loving not only your own broken child, but countless others,  learning to simplify and appreciate every moment in a reataurant of coffee shop because you have no budget for these occassions, and how to give till your own pain is so far behind you that you scarecely remember why you started to give. There is nothing more humbling than realizing that people with less resources and more tragedy are doing our dirty work and we never knew…. and this has been their first “thank you” from society.

Financially these people all save our tax dollars every day.  After meeting them and how upbeat they are you do not feel sorry for them. I relate to the Honorees each year in that I have learned giving is the only way to leave your own selfishness, misery, etc. behind.  There is no high that compares to spreading love! If people would like to get involved with “Feather Me Pink”  they can contact Stacy through the salon (509)465-2702. If anyone would like to help with Spokane Glass Slipper they can contact Beth through the salon or (509)991-5153.