From left: Patricia Papataros, Susan Angelaras, Shauntelle Dixon, Vincent DiRico, Phillip Sammut, Phillip E. Sammut, Lois Christie, Monica Santana, Theresa Brucculeri and Jennifer Nicholson pose for a photo with Ronald McDonald during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Christie celebrated the salon’s 50th anniversary by hosting the event to raise funds for local children and families in need. Photo by Paul Frangipane
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Christie & Co. Salon hosted a Day of Giving event on Saturday, Sept. 25, to commemorate the 35th anniversary of a local branch of the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The charitable day included family-friendly fun like face and body painting, raffles and a live DJ, with proceeds going toward the Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro (RMHC NYM), which helps sick children and their families who seek lifesaving medical care.
Salon founder Lois Christie started her working relationship with RMHC NYM over three decades ago. In the midst of recovering from the damages of Hurricane Ida, Christie came up with the idea for the Day of Giving.
“I’ve been with Ronald McDonald House since I started my first barbershop, 35 years ago,” Christie told QNS. “I decided this would be a good way to start to get everybody back to life again and we’ve always supported local community charities, Christie & Co. and the staff, but this one’s a little close to my heart.”
Since its inception, the organization has created and supported programs that directly improve the health and well-being of thousands of sick children every year at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park and two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
“When you see what the families are going through, it’s such a wonderful charity that they make it as comfortable as it can be for the families that need it, wherever they come from and I just wanted to be a part of that,” Christie said.
Christie’s business at 23-64 Bell Blvd. was the only one open at The Bay Terrace shopping center a day after Ida. The owner said that they lost computers and important files, and they had to remodel an entire floor. Despite the challenges, she felt the need to give back to her community.
“It’s just something I believe in,” she said. “I think it’s time we all start to support each other again [as businesses continue to recover from COVID]. We’ve been here 50 years and the clients have always supported us. We don’t have big resources but we feel with the smaller charities, it makes more of an impact — it’s just what you gotta do. But you have to want to do it.”
The Day of Giving was a kickoff for the organization’s gala on Oct. 14, where Christie will be an honoree.
“We are grateful to Lois and her entire team, she’s just been so amazing. This year’s gala is going to be like no other because of what she’s bringing to the event,” said Matthew Campo, CEO of RMHC NY Metro. “She’s been super generous in just her entire network and the entire community to come out and support the mission of RMHC.”
With additional reporting by Paul Frangipane.
Tents with vendors raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities line the sidewalk outside Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a “Day of Giving” for local families and children in need. Photo by Paul Frangipane
DJ Eclipse provides music during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a the event for local families and children in need through Ronald McDonald House Charities. Photo by Paul Frangipane
Ronald McDonald House Charities representatives dance to a DJ during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a the event for local families and children in need through Ronald McDonald House Charities. Photo by Paul Frangipane
Ronald McDonald House Charities offered face and skin painting to raise funds for local children and families in need during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Photo by Paul Frangipane
From left: Elizabeth A. Ayello, vice president of Fairy Godmother Foundation of New York and Kathleen Capitulo, president of Fairy Godmother Foundation of New York. The foundation grants meaningful experiences to enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with medical or developmental challenges. Photo by Paul Frangipane
From left: Sophia Grivas of Whitestone and Loucia Grivas of Bayside pose for a photo outside Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace during a “Day of Giving” on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a the event for local families and children in need through Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Grivases have been patronizing the salon since the 1980s. Photo by Paul Frangipane
A man buys raffle tickets to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Photo by Paul Frangipane
A woman prepares raffle tickets during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a the event for local families and children in need. Photo by Paul Frangipane
Ronald McDonald House Charities offered face and skin painting to raise funds for local children and families in need during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Photo by Paul Frangipane
People look through raffle items during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a the event for local families and children in need through Ronald McDonald House Charities. Photo by Paul Frangipane
Patricia Papataros with Ronald McDonald House Charities takes a selfie with Ronald McDonald outside Christie & Co. Salon in Bayside on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a “Day of Giving” for local families and children in need. Photo by Paul Frangipane
Tents with vendors raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities line the sidewalk outside Christie & Co. Salon in Bayside on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a “Day of Giving” for local families and children in need. Photo by Paul Frangipane
Susan Angelaras hands a Ronald McDonald House Charities t-shirt to a woman during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a the event for local families and children in need. Photo by Paul Frangipane
Ronald McDonald House Charities t-shirts for sale during a “Day of Giving” hosted by Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The salon, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted a the event for local families and children in need. Photo by Paul Frangipane
