Help Tornado Victims By Purchasing Spa Raffle Tickets

NEW LENOX, IL — Everyone deserves a little special treatment once in a while, perhaps none more so than those in Kentucky that were affected by tornados earlier this month. Three local spa and salon businesses are combining efforts to sell raffle tickets for a chance to win a basket loaded with spa and salon products and gift cards, the proceeds of which will go directly to the people hit hardest in Kentucky.

Chuck Morris, who owns Charles Morris Salon in New Lenox, said he came up with the idea for the Kentucky Relief Raffle when he was watching the news about the tornados that swept through Kentucky Dec. 10.

"I thought, 'Let's do a raffle of some sort, some way of gathering funds for them,'" Morris said.

Morris called his friend Jeffery LaMorte — who owns Jeffery LaMorte Salon and Day Spa with locations in Frankfort, Orland Park and Lemont — to figure out how they could help. LaMorte, in turn, got in touch with another spa and salon, Salon Evangelos in Orland Park, and the trio came up with the idea for the Kentucky Relief Raffle.

"Hopefully, between the three of us, we're able to accrue enough funds that it will make a difference for someone," Morris said.

Tickets are $5 for one, or $20 for five. All proceeds go to Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, established by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

The winner will receive a $1,000 Charles Morris Salon gift card and products valued at more than $500. The winner will be drawn Jan. 29.

Tickets can be purchased at any of the salons, and those purchasing tickets do not have to be clients:

• Charles Morris Salon - 1832 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox.
• Jeffery LaMorte Salon and Day Spa - 20821 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort; 15194 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park; and 1243 S. State St. in Lemont.
• Salon Evangelos - 15621 S. 71st Court in Orland Park.

"At this time of year, in light of all the things going on in our world and in our country right now, I think it would be nice to reach out and help our own," Morris said. "When things happen — when there's an earthquake or tsunami or something — this country always comes together and rallies their funds together to help others. Now, this is right here in Kentucky, in our own backyard. So, I think it'd be nice if we helped our own."