I am a big fan of the Beauty Bus foundation – an organization that brings dignity to terminally ill patients and their caregivers. So I was delighted when I was invited to attend their Beauty Drive this year at the Annenberg Building at the California Science Center on Sunday, May 5th.

On the orange carpet in my orange ensemble at the Beauty Bus Beauty Drive event

It was a fun day filled with a delicious Cinco de Mayo brunch, beauty & primping stations featuring hairstyling by InStyler and makeup applications by NYX Cosmetics, a Men’s lounge with haircuts and nail buffs, a Kids Korner (with glimmer, tinsel and feather application, face painting and a creative volunteer station), a silent auction and a semi-private access to the Space Shuttle Endeavor!

Sippin' a Cinco de Mayo margarita at the Beauty Bus Beauty Drive event

In between margaritas and mexican fare, my hair got gorgified thanks to InStyler!!

Getting gorgified thanks to the InStyler Pro at the Beauty Bus Beauty Drive Event

These curls were bouncy and voluminous and held for hours and hours! Even into the next day!

Hope & I ham it up in the photo booth

The Beauty Bus organization is a non-profit that brings a little pampering and A LOT of compassion and dignity to those suffering with terminal illnesses and their caregivers. The age of their clients ranges from 3 to 101 years old. There are no social, class, age or race boundaries. Beauty Bus is for everyone.

The Beauty Bus Foundation was founded in loving memory of Melissa Marantz Nealy who passed away the age of 28 from a degenerative neuromuscular disease. Melissa loved a good day at the spa. When her ability to leave the home became compromised, Co-Founder Alicia Marantz Liotta (Melissa’s cousin) was able to schedule in-home beauty services through her connections within the beauty industry. Witnessing the hope, happiness and respite these services brought to Melissa, Alicia and Co-Founder Wendy Marantz Levine, (Melissa’s sister) were inspired to launch Beauty Bus Foundation.

Beauty Bus creates a culture of compassion everyday through the following beautiful programs:

*In-Home Beauty & Grooming Services: from haircuts to manicures to facials to makeup applications, Beauty Bus’s in-home service brings the salon to those who are too ill to leave their home. They receive services, social interaction and a little peace of mind for no cost to them at all.

*Pop-up Salons: Created to provide patients and caregivers complimentary beauty and grooming services in a setting that promotes support and serenity.

*Bag of Beauty Program: Beauty Bus gives complimentary Bags of Beauty filled with pampering products to remind patients and caregivers that they deserve to look and feel beautiful.

Each patient can receive up to 12 services in a 12 month period. Meaningful donations are accepted and appreciated and they are based solely on what you want, and can afford, to give.

Here are a few testimonials about Beauty Bus that can’t help but warm your heart:

“Mom passed away on Wednesday morning. It was a heartbreaking time for us but I wanted you to know that she still had her Rose Pink nails that you gave her. It was the first time in a few years that she had her nails done and that I had seen her smile. I thank you for both of us for the wonderful experience.”
– Eileen C., Caregiver for her mom

“The simplest idea of someone coming to your home to pamper you at a time when all your energy is being expended to fight a personal battle, is much more than just feeling good about how you look. Beauty Bus gives its clients renewed internal strength to keep fighting.”
– Karen O., Former client, Breast Cancer survivor

It’s a beautiful thing. Thanks for the invite, Beauty Bus! I can’t wait for next year and hope I can get more involved with Beauty Bus this year!

*For more information on how YOU can volunteer with or donate to Beauty Bus, visit www.BeautyBus.org