Talk about a mommy makeover!
Renee Monte, the grand prize winner of the Christie & Co. Salon • Spa Forty Fabulous Years contest, is a devoted wife and mother of four girls – two sets of twins – all under a year-and-a-half old.
She has also been a selfless volunteer for two decades at the Madonna Heights School for Troubled Women and Girls, serving as both president and vice president.
But her journey to motherhood was one of "heartbreak, operations, fertility treatments and In Vetro Fertilizations," according to her mother, Lee Greenfield, who nominated Monte.
After five years of trying, she and her husband Jeff had their first set of twins. Then, unexpectedly, after Monte was told she would not be able to conceive naturally, she got pregnant a second time with twins.
"It was an unbelievable miracle I was able to get pregnant,” Monte told The Queens Courier.
"This pregnancy, however, had a 50/50 chance of surviving," said Greenfield.
At 31 weeks, Monte delivered the babies, who are now two months old and doing well.
Despite having four young children, Monte is still active in the Madonna Heights School, which was started by her best friend’s grandmother.
"She is a wonderful and loving mother, daughter, sister, friend to all who meet her," said Greenfield.
And so, on Thursday, December 2, Monte will enjoy a complete makeover, including a hair styling and coloring with Lois Christie, president of Intercoiffure America/Canada, a professional photo shoot and the chance to have her story printed in The Queens Courier and Launchpad Magazine. She will also receive a $500 gift card for Saks Fifth Avenue.
"I was shocked and very, very happy to learn I won," she said.
Christie & Co. Salon • Spa in The Bay Terrace shopping center, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is paying tribute to fabulous and successful women. The contest is designed to acknowledge, empower and encourage women to follow their calling.
Christie bought here first salon when she was 20 years old. Since 1970, Christie & Co. has been a staple of the Bayside business community.
