By: J. Christian

The holiday season always seems to soften the human spirit, at least for a little while. It seems everywhere you’ll find people a bit friendlier, more generous with a smile, and out and about sharing special excursions with friends and family in an effort to create memories to last a lifetime.

Each year and maybe more so this year, so many will find the holidays difficult as they cope with the memory of some significant event current or past. Lost job, lost health, lost loved one, lost home or lost relationships. The list is long. One thing is certain; a simple and kind gesture can serve to ease the pain.

I believe strongly we are all obligated to give all of our time and talents to the benefit of mankind. Whether on an individual scale or corporate effort, we all have the ability to better the lives of those around us.

Philanthropy is important on so many levels. Studies show that now more than ever, humans seem to be less generous, more isolated and self-centric. Same studies also show that depression in our culture continues to rise affecting all ages, races, and nationalities. Yet the basic tenet of philanthropy is best explained by Danny Thomas. He once said, “All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don’t discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” Success as described by Danny Thomas is a form of happiness.

Year round the studio receives multiple requests for donations to raise funds for charitable organizations. At first, like many other salons, we offered gift certificates for auction or as a door prize at some fundraising event.

While we were happy to do this, there were two fundamental flaws with this approach. First, the gift certificate had limited value. Second, this approach was a long way from achieving our vision statement which includes elevating all those who come in contact with the Studio mentally and emotionally making them feel better about themselves and their lives. We needed to get creative. Seemed easy, we’re all Artists here. We took a fundamentally different approach and found we could raise 10 to 100 times as much as a gift certificate.

With the help of our clients, employees, and colleagues our stage shows have helped raise more than $25,000 for honorable organizations like Hospice, Ronald McDonald House, and Locks of Love; and we’ve collected nearly 50 ponytails for the Locks of Love cause.

Philanthropy has been rewarding on many levels. To name a few: Our employees are energized and motivated, fully engaged in our mission, and we’ve established some great connections in our business community. Red Robin in Brandywine Town Center hosted the Ronald McDonald House fundraiser and we’ve already partnered to raise funds for Hospice of Delaware in November.

We’ve been able to expand on our philanthropic mission for 2010. We’ll be holding a show at the Blue Rocks Stadium on May 23rd, we’ve been invited back to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House on August 4th, and we’ll hold our annual fundraiser here in Hockessin at the Hockessin Memorial Hall on March 7th.

When you make your New Year’s resolution this year, resolve to give volunteerism or philanthropy a chance. From experience, I can say that giving of your time and talents to the betterment of another is a short road to personal success and happiness.

J. Christian is a Master Artist with more than 30 years experience in the beauty industry. Together with his wife Marcy, they own and operate J. Christian Studio, an upscale salon located in Hockessin, DE. As an International Platform Artist and Master Educator for Sexy Hair Concepts, J. Christian travels here and abroad teaching other Stylists about hair fashion. He regularly teaches at the Institute of Courage, a hair academy established by Michael O’Rourke, founder of Sexy Hair Concepts located in the Topanga Canyon just outside Los Angeles as well as at the Paul Mitchell School in Delaware.

Publisher’s Note on J. Christian Studio:
One thing you can always count on when you leave J’s is versatility. I always leave it in his hands, and I always walk out with a style that’s fun, versatile, and sexy. Thanks J! The artists in his studio are always up on the latest styles and know how to have fun with color.