Despite all the negative news we usually see, Hernando County really is full of good people. Local nail salon, The Polish Bar, demonstrated this recently by hosting a benefit to pamper underprivileged children. Our amazing community banded together for the event on Saturday, April 8th 2017.
Jenna Breit, a client of the Polish Bar, approached co-owners, Johnathan Olvera and Alexis, with the idea and they ran with it. She came up with the idea from seeing Facebook posts from Officer Tommy Norman — an Officer in North Little Rock, AR who practices Community Policing and does a lot of great work to help and inspire his community.
Jenna said, “I quite frankly became tired of seeing all of the negative news surrounding Hernando County and wanted to make a way for the youth in our community to know that we care about them, that they can do better, and they can make positive and impactful choices.”
As soon as Breit explained her vision to Outback Steakhouse, Jae’s Beauty Bar, Tutti Fruitti, Dunkin Donuts, Murphy’s Fresh Market and Beacon Theaters, they immediately offered their services.
She said the biggest challenge was vetting the deserving young ladies. Jenna, Johnathan, and Alexis carefully sorted through numerous nominations and handpicked the 10 girls to give them a day of pampering. The girls were nominated as either deserving or underprivileged youth in our community. For example, one teenager lost her father a couple of years ago to cancer and donates most of her free time to helping a local man with cancer.
Two of the girls came from domestic violence situations where their moms were courageous enough get them out but can’t afford to do things like have their nails manicured. Each girl has a different story, but all of them deserve to know that they are special and loved.
At the Beauty and Brunch event, the girls were treated to manicures from nail pros Alexis and Johnathan, with games and a variety of goodies while they waited.
They took turns posing at the “Photo Booth” and getting hair glitter. Jessica from Jae’s Beauty Bar donated her eyebrow threading services to the teenage girls.
All of the girls received a gift basket that included coupons from some of the sponsors, as well as personal beauty care items they can use at home.
Afterwards, the generous people of Outback Steakhouse served them a fancy lunch and created a special menu for the occasion.
The overwhelming generosity from the community was great to see. The way so many people came together and rallied around our youth was so inspiring. Breit stated that she and the Polish Bar hoped to “encourage the youth” in our community. From the delighted looks on all of the girls’ faces, I am sure that The Polish Bar and their team accomplished their goal.
The Polish bar is located at 6161 Deltona Blvd, Spring Hill, FL.