Judy Williams, co-owner of Spada Salon & Day Spa along with her husband, Andrew, hosted the spa’s annual fundraiser, SPADA-thon, on Tuesday, May 24. The entire staff of SPADA donated its time to the fundraiser.
Surpassing all records, the event raised $33,300 for PACE Center for Girls, Lee; the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida; and Valerie’s House.
Admission to the event was a new or gently-worn dress to be donated to Love That Dress! — an annual shopping extravaganza that last year raised more than $120,000 for PACE Center for Girls. Five hundred dresses were collected at this year’s SPADA-thon for the Love That Dress! event, which is set for August 24.
The $33,300 raised at this year’s SPADA-thon surpasses by more than $10,000 last year’s record-setting $23,000. The 2015 funds were split between Golisano Children’s Hospital and PACE Center for Girls. This year, Valerie’s House was added as a recipient of a portion of the proceeds.
The Williamses purchased Spada in 2011 and, with their staff, developed a culture of giving back to our community. “Everyone volunteers at our annual event, SPADA-thon,” Williams said.
Earlier in May, Williams was named Business Advocate of the Year for her dedication and contributions invested back into the Southwest Florida nonprofit community. This inaugural award was presented by the Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University and recognizes a small- to mid-sized Southwest Florida business for outstanding success.