Pulse Beauty Academy and Paul Mitchell Schools Raise $1.2 Million for Charity

May 24, 2010 - PRLog -- Downingtown, PA– Despite continuing reports about the failing economy, future professionals from Paul Mitchell the School San Antonio and the nationwide Paul Mitchell beauty school network spent the months of February through April raising over $1.2 million in their annual charity “FUNraising” campaign. Now in its seventh year, the annual campaign surpassed all previous records and brought the combined total to more than $4.4 million.

For those who wonder why a group of students would be so passionate about raising money for charity, the answer lies in the organization’s unique culture, whose stated mission is to create “Happy, successful future professionals.”

“Giving back is a cornerstone of our philosophy,” says school Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh. “Of course we teach the skills needed for a successful career, but we also teach the skills needed for a successful life, and those include being nice and giving back.”

Rather than seeking huge corporate donations, future professionals raised most of the money through grassroots events like cut-a-thons, hair shows, car washes, bake sales, and “Casual for a Cause” days, with donations averaging $5 to $10. The funds will be distributed to the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network, Food 4 Africa, and the schools’ own nonprofit organization, the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation.

Claybaugh announced the results at a gala dinner at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California, on April 25, 2010. The event was hosted by Claybaugh and representatives from the sponsored charities, including radio and TV personality Leeza Gibbons, entertainer Donny Osmond, Paul Mitchell CEO and Cofounder John Paul DeJoria, and Paul Mitchell Co-owner and salon owner Angus Mitchell.

A packed audience cheered as the top ten FUNraising schools were announced. For the second year in a row, Paul Mitchell The School – Salt Lake City took top honors, raising $73,104. The top 10 individual FUNraisers were also recognized at the dinner, along with winners of the schools’ recent “Why It’s Cool to Be a Paul Mitchell Future Professional / Work at a Paul Mitchell School” YouTube video contest.

As a special surprise, Donny Osmond brought his band and sang several songs for the crowd. “When Winn Claybaugh contacted Marie and me with an offer to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network, we were surprised, to say the least,” Donny said. “I was blown away when Winn told me that, due to all your hard work and the success of this year’s FUNraising campaign, the check to Children’s Miracle Network is not for $100,000 as originally promised, but for $200,000! Talk about over delivering, something I have come to expect from the Paul Mitchell family. You guys are amazing!”

Leeza Gibbons, who has been involved with the annual campaign since its inception, said, “Once again the future professionals from Paul Mitchell Schools exceeded all expectations, raising over $1.2 million. This was after raising $100,000 for Haiti relief just prior to this campaign. Year after year, these future professionals show up, lead by example, and inspire us all to make a difference in the lives of those who need help most. I feel so blessed to have the embrace of all the ‘Paul Mitchell people’ — simply the coolest people on earth!”

“What a delightful evening,” added Paul Mitchell Chairman and CEO John Paul DeJoria. “Not just to have Donny Osmond, Leeza Gibbons, Larry King, and Winn Claybaugh take the time to individually take a photo with each of our 104 school owners, but to think that the great Donny Osmond was so appreciative for the donation to Children’s Miracle Network that he brought his band in to do a fabulous performance for the whole crowd. These are some of the extra-exciting ways one sees how giving back truly pays back.”

Additional special guests included Biggest Loser chef and cookbook author Devin Alexander (representing the Larry King Cardiac Foundation), Olympic gold medalist Peter Vidmar, Survivor finalist Alexis Jones, comedian Kathy Buckley, Invisible Children Cofounder Bobby Bailey, motivational speakers Patrick John Hughes and Patrick Henry Hughes, and Children’s Miracle Network Vice President of Sponsor Relations Rod Hamson, who said, “This is truly a night I will always remember. Not only were the results of the FUNraising memorable, but the interaction of the future professionals with each other, their positive attitudes toward life, and the love that they have for what they do was truly reflected in their willingness to raise money for others. I left that night inspired by their energy.”

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About Pulse Beauty Academy, a Paul Mitchell Partner School

Established 300 years ago, Downingtown is a beautiful blend of historic charm, modern convenience, natural beauty, and easy access to great destinations.

Home to QVC Studios and West Chester University, nearby West Chester has a definite college vibe. Its annual restaurant festival and world-renowned Devon Horse Show and Country Fair offer fun for everyone. Abundant dining, shopping, entertainment, and cultural attractions prompted Forbes.com to name Chester County one of the Top 10 Best Places to Raise a Family (2008). King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest in the country, is another popular spot.