Over 100 salons raise money for Azana victims fund
BROOKFIELD -- Over 100 Milwaukee-area salons came together Tuesday, November 13th to raise money for the victims of the shooting at the Azana Salon & Spa in Brookfield. It was a collaborative effort that grew larger than organizers could have ever imagined.
"We thought wouldn't it be a statement if 12 salons got on board to raise money for the Azana victims and help create awareness to domestic violence?" Carenza Salon Owner Jan Seybold said.
The fundraiser grew from 12 to 116 salons and spas giving a portion of the day's receipts to a fund set up for Azana victims at Associated Bank.
There were even a few spas involved from out of state!
"North Carolina, Georgia, California, Texas, New York, New Jersey. It's really overwhelming to see the response around the country to want to help," Seybold said.
For Carenza Salon client Samantha Peters, what the salons did is really significant, because her mother was once in an abusive situation.
"For me, it is a big issue, and I never wanted that to happen to myself and even now with my daughter," Peters said.
Many stylists say the horror of October 21st when Radcliffe Haughton entered the Azana Salon & Spa and opened fire, killing his estranged wife and two others, and injuring four before turning the gun on himself still resonates.
"It was awful, heartbreaking, very close to home. I've been to that salon I grew up in Brookfield and it's just terrible," Erik of Norway Salon Spa client Megan Wallskog said.
The fundraiser gave them a way to take action, and it's spawned a lot of conversation on domestic abuse.
"This is an issue that isn't talked about much and it touches all of our lives. The statistics are actually really high," says Seybold. "One of the things that I learned is one in three women will be abused in their lifetime by a partner."
Organizers hoped to raise $100,000 with this mass fundraiser. If you'd like to support the Azana Victims Fund, donations can be made at any Associated Bank branch, or mailed to 1 N. Moorland Road, Brookfield, WI 53005. Anyone with questions can also call 262-784-3370.
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