It was a Happy Mother’s Day after all for Maria Duran.
The Corona mother, who spent last Mother’s Day praying that her MIA son, U.S. Specialist Alex Jimenez , would return safely only to hear that his remains were found in Iraq two months later, got to enjoy this Mother’s Day with a $500 shopping spree, beauty makeover and free dinner – all compliments of Queens Center Mall and The Queens Courier.
“Everything was excellent,” Duran said. The manicure, pedicure, the shopping and the food, I’m very grateful for being chosen.”
When representatives of Queens Center Mall solicited the help of The Queens Courier to find a mother who would benefit from a special day of pampering, Duran’s name immediately came to mind. Duran’s son Alex Jimenez went missing with a group of other U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq on May 12, 2007.
For more than two years, Duran and her family prayed that Jimenez was alive, and during that time, Duran served as a friend and confidant to other mothers from New York City whose sons died while serving in the military overseas.
“We are thrilled to give Maria a little something special this Mother’s Day,” said Dawn Simon, marketing manager for Queens Center. “She has helped so many military moms in this community, and we are excited to be able to give something back to her.”
When Duran arrived at the mall on the morning of Mother’s Day, she was set to embark on a $500 shopping spree, but she had an extra special treat. The owner of Queens Center Mall – Macerich – provided the services of professional stylist Jenn Michael to shop with Duran and help her find some new outfits.
“It was great,” Michael said. “It was sort of an action-packed day; there was a lot to do.”
Michael said that Duran decided it was time for her to venture away from the predominantly black clothing she has been wearing for the past few years in mourning for her son, and she picked up a few items with some springtime colors, including a floral skirt. She also picked up a new beige/brown suit and some handbags to match the different outfits.
“She had her family with her too so they were really helping and shopping,” Michael said. “We were all in the fitting together; she was really great.”
Michael said that they got some great sales at JC Penny, but it wasn’t all bargain basement shopping.
“She also did a nice splurge for herself so that was great,” Michael said.
After the shopping portion of the day was finished, Duran moved onto the makeover. She received the help of professional beauticians at Natural Look Aveda Salon, who gave her a facial, manicure, pedicure and even a massage.
“The girl who was applying my makeup said that my face looked familiar,” Duran said. “I told her that I was the mother of Alex Jimenez, the soldier killed in Iraq, and she responded that everyone at the salon had been praying with me during this painful ordeal. We all started to cry.”
When the makeover was over, it was time for a special dinner as Duran, her sister, sister-in-law and friend Martha Clark – who also lost her son in Iraq – were treated to a dinner compliments of Applebee’s.
“It was great,” Duran said. “Everyone was so nice to me.”
A few days before Mother’s Day, Queens Center Mall held a “Get Together and Give Evening” where local women helped assemble “care kits” for the U.S. Army Reserve Family Program’s 800th MP Brigade.
The U.S. Army Reserve Family Program’s 800th MP Brigade will in turn deliver these packages to the women they serve to help brighten their Mother’s Day during these challenging economic times.
