Studio 2 staff, customers continue tradition of supporting local families during holidays
It is a tradition for many local residents to make a stop at Studio 2 Salon around the holidays, to donate toys, clothes and more to benefit the Bayshore Fire & Rescue District’s annual holiday party and gift drive.
Bayshore area children get toys, families get a great holiday dinner and more.
“We get donations for toys, clothes and more, including baby clothes, and items like toothbrushes and toothpaste,” owner Theresa Auer said.
“We’ve owned this place for over four years, and we like this campaign because it stays in our own community,” husband and co-owner Walter Auer said.
“I feel the same way,” Theresa Auer said about why their salon has done this campaign for the last four years. “There are a lot of people who need donations, but this serves our community.”
Kennettee “Kenny” Lampman is a key organizer there. She said besides the toys, she thought clothing was important this year.
“We got just as much, if not more, women’s clothing donated by our customers this year. We have everything from things for newborns to teens to women’s clothing. We asked for new clothes, with the tags still on them, and we got many,” she said.
The final tally was more than their goal:
- 141 filled Christmas mugs
- 76 filled shoe boxes with toys
- 178 coloring books and crayons
- 191 pieces of new clothing.
“We only asked for 50 coloring books, and received 172,” she said.
That shows the generosity of their staff, patrons and community members that contributed.
“There was also food donated, and lots and lots of toys,” Lampman said.
Staff even made baby blankets to add to the campaign.
Bill Keener of Bayshore Fire picked up the donations.
“I think it is a wonderful gesture,” he said. “It reminds you that this time of year, it is about giving, and not receiving.”
The fire district’s Theresa Sharp said the businesses’ contributions will make a lot of people happy this year.
“We truly appreciate their drive. We also had a lot of children not adopted in our campaign, and their gifts really, really filled the gap,” she said.
Customers who donated were more than generous, said staff members.
“It’s very nice to be involved in an extended family like this,” receptionist Tracy Fransen said.
Local groups contributed to the drive.
“We’d like to thank many, including the Razzle Dazzle Diva Red Hats and residents of Lake Arrowhead Park and Laurel Park and many more,” said Theresa Auer.
Loyal customers were also on top of her thank you list.
Studio 2 is located at 19001 N. Tamiami Trail, Unit 2, in North Fort Myers. Hours are Tuesday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The telephone number is 567-0660. The website is online at: ourstudio2salon.com.