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Riverview Salon Staffs Donate Makeovers

News Channel 8 photo by INDIRA LEVINE

Hairstylist at New Identities Hair Studio South Shore, gave makeovers to raise self esteem and spirits of women staying in local shelters.

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: February 25, 2009

RIVERVIEW - New Identities Hair Studios hosted its fifth annual Valentine's Day Makeover last week, donating haircuts and facial makeovers to victims of domestic violence.

Laurie Kepler, executive director of the Mary and Martha House, a Ruskin shelter for battered women and their children, said the makeovers where more than skin deep.

"I think part of reason some women come here is lack of self esteem, so having a makeover and having themselves being pampered really made a big difference to them," Kepler said.

"We feed them and pamper them," said shop chief executive officer Mark Rockquemore.

The South Shore shop, at 10639 Big Bend Road, Riverview, welcomed the ladies Sunday.

Residents of The Spring of Tampa Bay and Alpha House of Tampa also received makeovers.

Buffalo Wild Wings and Panera Bread provided food for women who visited the shop.

"A lot of times, they arrive in the middle of night at these shelters, with just the clothes on their backs," Rockquemore said.

"When they get to the event, a lot of times, they can't even look at you. They have no self-esteem. We try to make them up and beautify them, even teach them how to do their own makeup," he said.

The salons also sent e-mails to all their clients asking for wish lists of items the women and their children could use.

"It's truly one of the most rewarding things we do here, and my entire staff looks forward to it each year," Rockquemore said.

"It was fabulous," said Jan Falcione, community resource manager for the Mary and Martha House. The nonprofit home was established in 1982 and provides shelter for women age 18 and older and their children.

"Some of the ladies were a little reluctant at first, but the difference was amazing.

"If you are down-and-out, the last thing you can do is go out and pamper yourself," Falcione said. "You could just see afterwards that (the women who had the makeovers) were just glowing."

TBO.com community producer Kevin Brady contributed to this report. Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

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