Fashion & Beauty for a Cause

Dance for the Cure
Jun 11
4 min read

Updated: Jun 23

Welcome to our Series on Fundraisers

Throughout the month of June we'll be publishing a weekly article highlighting the creative and fun ways that businesses and individuals find to support Dance for the Cure.

Over the years, many salons, boutiques, and beauty businesses have found creative ways to support Dance for the Cure during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Some add special products or services, others host shopping nights or raffles, and many turn everyday client visits into opportunities to support local breast cancer patients.

What makes these fundraisers work so well is how naturally they fit into what these businesses already do. Customers enjoy participating, conversations happen organically, and businesses can support a local cause in a way that feels personal to their staff and clients.

This month, we’re highlighting several businesses from the fashion and beauty community whose fundraising efforts helped make a difference during 2025.

Brighton – Bridgewater Mall

During October, Brighton at Bridgewater Mall participated in the company’s annual “Power of Pink” campaign, a nationwide initiative that partners with local charities supporting breast cancer patients and awareness efforts.

Through the campaign, the Bridgewater location selected Dance for the Cure as its local beneficiary and raised $280 in support of local breast cancer patients.

Campaigns like this help connect national awareness efforts with local organizations, giving customers a chance to support people in their own communities while shopping for a cause.

Hairapy Salon

Hairapy Salon in Milltown, owned by Shannon Breen, held a Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser throughout October.

The salon sold breast cancer awareness items including pink tinsel, pink clip-on hair strands, and pink highlights, while also donating a portion of Hairapy product sales to Dance for the Cure. Together with Hairapy's own contribution, the fundraiser generated $500 in support of local breast cancer patients.

What made this fundraiser especially fun was how visible it became inside the salon. Clients could participate in a simple way while adding a little pink during October, and it naturally opened conversations about awareness and support for local patients.

Salon fundraisers like this also create a shared experience among staff and clients, with everyone joining in together throughout the month.

Kreations By Anne

Anne Martinelli, owner of Kreations By Anne, hosted an in-store shopping fundraiser and supplemented the proceeds with her own contribution, resulting in a $1,000 donation to Dance for the Cure.

Guests enjoyed an evening of shopping, food, beverages, door prizes, and time spent catching up with friends while supporting a local cause. Anne has also continued supporting Dance for the Cure through donations to Ribbons of Hope each year.

Events like this show how businesses can turn an ordinary shopping night into something that brings people together while giving back to the community. Customers enjoy supporting a local business while also knowing their purchases are helping local breast cancer patients.

From Left: Sandy Rizzolo, DFC Co-founder Joanne Liscovitz, Kacey Mucerino, DFC Co-founder Kathleen Cirioli, Denise Frigiano

Gatsby Salon

Gatsby Salon held a month-long fundraiser during October that generated $4,000 for Dance for the Cure through client donations, raffle ticket sales, and additional support from the salon itself.

Stylist Kacey Mucerino, herself a former Dance for the Cure recipient from 2019, invited clients to make donations throughout the month. The salon also created a raffle basket displayed at the reception area, with clients purchasing raffle tickets to support the fundraiser.

Gatsby Salon has continued supporting Dance for the Cure every year since 2020.

One of the things that stands out about this fundraiser is how much client participation became part of the experience. Small donations added up throughout the month, proving that community support often grows one person at a time.

Salon Dare

Salon Dare owner Melanie Dare and her staff once again supported Dance for the Cure during Breast Cancer Awareness Month by offering pink hair strands throughout October.

Through client participation and contributions from the salon, the fundraiser generated $500 for local breast cancer patients.

Returning fundraisers like this become something clients look forward to each year. Businesses build traditions around Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and customers enjoy participating in a way that feels easy, visible, and community centered.

Salon Dare has continued to be a longtime supporter of Dance for the Cure and its mission.

Tracy Abate, Touchstone Crystal

For many years, Tracy Abate has been one of Dance for the Cure's most dedicated supporters. Through her Touchstone Crystal jewelry business, Tracy has hosted numerous jewelry parties benefiting Dance for the Cure, creating opportunities for friends and customers to shop while supporting local breast cancer patients.

Her support extends far beyond fundraising events. Tracy has also donated many beautiful jewelry pieces over the years to be featured in the basket raffles at Ribbons of Hope, helping create some of the event's most popular and sought-after prizes.

What makes Tracy's involvement especially meaningful is her consistency. Year after year, she continues finding ways to support Dance for the Cure's mission while sharing that opportunity with others. Her jewelry parties bring people together in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, proving that fundraising can grow naturally from friendships, community connections, and a desire to help local families.

Supporters like Tracy remind us that fundraising doesn't always require a large event. Sometimes it begins with inviting a few friends together, sharing something you love, and using it as an opportunity to make a difference.

The businesses featured here each found their own way to participate — from shopping nights and product sales to raffles and pink hair extensions. Each supporter featured here found a different way to help—from retail campaigns and salon promotions to shopping events, jewelry parties, raffles, and product sales. Together, they show that there are countless ways for businesses and individuals to support local breast cancer patients and strengthen the communities they serve.

Dance for the Cure is deeply grateful for the continued support of businesses throughout the fashion and beauty community. Their generosity helps provide financial assistance to local breast cancer patients throughout Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties.