More than 100 local salons donated profits to Azana victims' families

More than 100 salons in Brookfield and surrounding communities participated in the Cut It Out event Tuesday, a national fundraiser raising awareness and providing hope to domestic violence survivors.

A percentage of Tuesday's sales from participating salons are going to the Azana Spa Victims' fund.

Radcliffe Haughton opened fire in the Brookfield spa late last month, killing three and wounding four. Zina Haughton, Maelyn Lind and Cary Robuck, all mothers, died in the attack.

Cut It Out is a national program of the Salons Against Domestic Abuse Fund that began in 2002 as a statewide program in Alabama. Participating salons received complimentary material to promote the event, such as signs, banners, and purple ribbons.

Jan Seybold owns Carenza, a neighboring salon to Azana Salon and Spa in Brookfield. Her own experiences with domestic violence prompted her to get involved and help the victims' families.

"I grew up in a household with a dad who was really violent," Seybold said. "I think that's why I had such a strong call to action."

Seybold promoted the event through Facebook, phone calls, emails and word of mouth.

"I was just hoping to get maybe 12 salons to participate," Seybold said. As of Tuesday morning, 117 salons had signed up to participate in the event.

"We were so shocked and devastated," Seybold said, recalling the tragic Sunday morning when the shooting occurred. "We were just wondering what we could do to help."

Seybold never thought the community support would grow so large. "We have salons as far away as Texas, California, and North Carolina willing to help."

Seybold said clients were extremely generous and supportive at the event, one client even donating $250 to the fund. Carenza offered raffle items and a neighboring boutique set up a display of scarves in the salon, the owner donating 25 percent of sales to the fund.

Azana's owner Tami Gemmell made a surprise visit to the salon. The two women embraced each other, tears in Seybold's eyes. "I just wanted to stop by and thank you for your support," Gemmell told Seybold.

After Tuesday's success, Seybold is already planning the next fundraising event. "This time next year, I want to have a phone drive," Seybold said. "Look out Jerry Lewis!"