Dual Salons Cut-A-Thon: Look Good, Feel Good and Do Good

Chris and MaryLynn Pearson are the epitome of the old adage, “married couples who play together, stay together."

The Tampa natives, both 52, share a love and passion for many things – running successful businesses, the Carrollwood community which they call home, providing stellar customer service, protecting the environment, and a never-ending desire to give back to those who need help. 

Over the years, “those” have included Summer Moll, who lost her mother on September 10, 2008, after a driver going the wrong way on the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway killed her mother and left the young girl, then four, in Tampa General Hospital in critical condition with a fractured skull and multiple broken bones. 

In an effort to relieve her staggering medical bills, the Pearsons – who didn’t even know Moll's family – coordinated a festival-like Cut-A-Thon and raised over $10,000, complete with live music and a revolving door of customers who had signed up for haircuts, mini facials and massages.

Another time, a client told the Pearsons about a friend who needed a bone marrow treatment, and the couple quickly organized another fundraiser that raised approximately $7,000. 

And most recently, they held a similar event last fall, hosting their first ‘Breast Cancer Cut-A-Thon’, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Pearsons, who have been married 29 years, will once again be open for business on Sunday, June 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. as they organize another Cut-A-Thon, with all donations and proceeds going toward Operation Helping Hand. 

The couple and team members from both of their salons – about two dozen stylists from both and – will come together to offer haircuts, classic pedicures and 25 minute massages for $25 each at Mystic’s fifteen-chair, 4,000 square foot location at 13801 N. Dale Mabry Highway.  Appointments are not required, but strongly recommended. 

Haircuts at Mystic normally run between $38-$57, so clients have the opportunity to save some money and donate to a very special cause.  (Cuts at The Edge fall into the $27-$40 range.)

The fire department for the City of Tampa will also be in attendance, grilling and selling food, with all proceeds benefitting Operation Helping Hand.  

“Helping wounded active duty military patients and their families is something we should all be doing.  Both salons were eager to participate so as to give back to the community,” said MaryLynn Pearson in a press release. 

Operation Helping Hand (Op HH) was formed in 2004 with the goal of providing assistance and support to the families of the active duty wounded and injured from Iraq and Afghanistan treated at James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa. The organization also helps active duty patients at the Tampa VA Hospital who were injured worldwide with wounds and injuries ranging from blindness to amputations to burns to spinal cord injuries. 

The seven-year old nonprofit organization presents the service members and their loved ones with welcome kits upon their arrival to the medical center and at the monthly dinners.  These gift bags may include: gift certificates, phone cards, dinner vouchers, gas coupons, movie passes, and much more. 

“We were first exposed to Operation Helping Hand’s effort through Bob (Robert Silah, a U.S. Navy veteran who heads the organization) and really admire what he’s brought to the table to help out these families. 

"He would bring wives of veterans to the salon and we’d treat them to a spa treatment.  These people sacrifice so much for all of us; we’re pleased and honored to help them relieve some of the stress that they’re under,” said Chris Pearson.

In 2008, Operation Helping Hand was awarded the United Way of Tampa’s esteemed “Golden Achievement Award,” as well as the “Outstanding Community Service Award” from the Tampa Mayor’s Alliance.

“We try to find two to three causes per year to help out, and these fundraisers are consistently successful because of the people – our neighbors," said Chris Pearson. "Our events aren’t advertised. We depend on strong word of mouth among our clientele, and staff and the community always ends up coming together."

The Salon & Spa at Mystic Hair and The Edge Salon Tampa will be joining forces to raise money for Operation Helping Hand on Sunday, June 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  All services will be held at Mystic Hair, 13801 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, 33618.

Appointments are not required, but strongly recommended.  Call Mystic Hair at 813-264-2215, or The Edge at 813-963-7575 to book yours today.  Haircuts will be reduced to $25 (blow dry and style will be an additional $10), and classic pedicures and 25-minute massages are $25 each. 

Everyone is invited to stop by and participate in the silent auction and for an additional $5 donation, enter to win a drawing for a year’s worth of complimentary haircuts or spa services.