Moms Receive The Royal Treatment As Part Of Spa Gregorie’s & Cox Cares Mom'ination Contest

June 9, 2009 - PRLog -- NEWPORT BEACH and RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. - Being a mom is arguably the toughest job in the world.  In recognition of Orange County’s hard working mothers, Spa Gregorie’s and Cox Cares joined forces to thank these magnificent matriarchs with the quintessential reward - a de-stressing day at the Spa.  The Mom’ination Contest grand prize was designed to give area mothers a day all to themselves.  As an added bonus, our winning modern-day superwomen were also featured on Cox3.

“Many women spend most of their days running around, juggling their responsibilities to their families while maintaining their careers.  It becomes very easy for mothers to forget about themselves,” said Spa Principal Angela Cortright.  “Our Mom’ination Contest gives these women the opportunity to decompress and their families an outlet to show their gratitude.”

During April and May, nearly 100 people nominated their mom for the chance to win a replenishing and stress-free spa day.  Cortright said that while all of the submissions were impressive and moving, the lives of Myriam Ruiz, Shawna McAfee and Gina Cousineau stood out to be exemplary stories of a mother’s courage, dedication and love.

Santa Fe Springs resident Myriam Ruiz has had a tough and, at times, abusive life.  Born in a small village in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, she was forced to work at the age of 9 to help her impoverished family.  At 18 she married, endured many years of abuse due to her husband’s alcoholism, became the mother of three high-achieving children, and a grandmother of one.  Her oldest daughter, Angela Gomez, describes her precious, hardworking mother as “strong, courageous, selfless and humble.  My mother taught us to value everything and every penny that came our way.”  In her children, she instilled humility and a strong work ethic.  “Even though life has thrown some crazy curve balls her way she is very forgiving and sincere,” said Gomez.  “My mother is my queen.”

Mom’ination winner Shawna McAfee of San Clemente makes sure her two children - a newborn and a 16-month-old - are always safely out of harms way.  And, as a Marine, she puts her life on the line for the rest of us as well.  “I honestly can’t tell you the last time she did something for herself… She always puts me or the children first,” said her husband Joshua.  “She is one of the strongest woman I know, in one of the hardest military branches there is… she has fought for our freedom.”  As they grow up and look back at the life their mother has lived, Shawna’s children will know their mom is a hero.  “She deserves the best and I want her to know that if her children could write, I’m sure they could say a million more things about her,” added Joshua.

The final 2009 recipient Gina Cousineau, also a resident of San Clemente, has vowed to devote her life to saving others.  Two years ago, her youngest son, Evan, was diagnosed with a terminal, genetic disease.  Gina cared for him tirelessly while he underwent a bone marrow transplant.  In November 2007, the family lost Evan, just before his tenth birthday.  According to her daughter, Mary, despite this horrible tragedy, Gina has done a tremendous job of keeping Evan’s memory alive and saving lives in his honor.  “She has formed a foundation - Be A Hero, Become A Donor - that works to promote bone marrow, blood, organ and cord blood donation.  Through her efforts, countless lives have been saved.  My mom is an incredibly inspiring woman, and my siblings and I are so fortunate to have her as an example,” said the proud daughter.  “I can only pray that I will become half the woman that my mom is.”

To read more about these extraordinary women, and all the “mominees,” please visit
http://spagregories.com/mominations/09.shtml

About Spa Gregorie’s
Celebrating its 10th anniversary of pampering Orange County, Spa Gregorie’s is a recipient of top spa honors from Citysearch and The Orange County Register’s Reader’s Poll, and was bestowed with the Women’s Cancer Research Foundation’s 2008 Humanitarian Award.  A name synonymous with relaxation, tranquility and quality service, the Spa is a unique retreat for men and women looking to escape the rigors of daily stress and replenish body and soul.  With locations in Newport Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita, Spa Gregorie’s offers a broad range of skin and body care that enhance wellbeing through treatments that nourish, heal and balance.  Reservations are recommended for spa services and can be made by calling Spa Gregorie’s Newport Beach at 949.644.6672 or Rancho Santa Margarita at 949.858.9455.  To visit the Spa online, go to www.spagregories.com.  Both Spa Gregorie’s locations are open seven days a week; Monday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

About Cox Cares
Cox believes that without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.  That is why it created the 501(c)(3) non-profit Cox Cares and has donated nearly $400,000 to more than 95 local non-profit organizations since 2000.  Cox Cares gives back to Orange County by supporting local programs that offer invaluable services to those who need them most.  For more information, please visit www.cox-cares.org.

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About Spa Gregorie's: Our treatments offer a variety of benefits. Some are designed to relax , others serve to cleanse and purify your body through their detoxifying properties, and still, others will help firm, tone, and help reverse the aging process.

Spa Gregorie's mission is to deliver the quintessential spa experience for our guests while nurturing a passionate & professional staff and making a significant contribution to our community.