MEDIA RELEASE

The Zonta Club of Hilo recently helped women at the HOPE Services Resource Center feel magnificent for the day. “The Magnificent Me!” project helped women returning from incarceration as well as living in HOPE’s homeless shelter build self-esteem.

“The Magnificent Me!” was done as part of the Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Foundation’s Weinberg Friends Program, which gave the Zonta Club’s chosen non-profit $10,000 upon completion of a sweat equity project. “The Magnificent Me!” was the Zonta Club of Hilo’s 2013 project.

Hilo Zontians kicked off the event with a motivational speaker who coached the women on making the most of themselves. Following the inspirational talk, women learned how to make healthy, energy boosting beverages, apply skin-care and make-up, reduce stress through dance, care for hands and feet, and how to dress for success. Zontians prepared hygiene kits as takeaways and donated preloved clothing.

“It was the Zonta Club of Hilo’s absolute pleasure to pamper these women in transition and make them feel magnificent,” said Julie Tulang, organizer for the event. “The club’s mission is to make the world a better place for women and girls. “The Magnificent Me!” project did that for some very deserving women in our community.”

Not only were the women pampered, but they also received some quality “me” time as a handful of Zontians took care of the women’s children. The children participated in a number of activities including playing with “snow,” arts and crafts, acting out stories, singing songs and learning the importance of being clean and eating healthy.

After the morning’s pampering and activity session, the children rejoined the group and watched their mothers, sisters and aunties show off their new look and fashion pieces. The event concluded with a presentation of $10,000 to HOPE Services to aid the organization in their work to find permanent housing and provide dental help for women rejoining the work force.

For the last 15 years, the Zonta Club of Hilo has taken part in the Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Foundation’s Weinberg Friends Program.

About the Zonta Club of Hilo
The Zonta Club of Hilo was founded in 1950 and is part of Zonta International, a global organization of executives and professionals working to advance the status of women and girls around the world through service and advocacy. To learn more about the club’s service projects, special events, advocacy efforts and scholarship opportunities, visit www.zontahilo.org.