Charles Riser, co-owner of THE TEMPLE: A Paul Mitchell Partner School in Frederick, Maryland, was presented with the 2017 Andrew Gomez Compassionate Service Award along with Cancer Schmancer founder and actress Fran Dresher at Paul Mitchell Schools 14th annual FUNraising Gala in Hollywood, California this past May. The award was “in recognition of his selfless, compassionate service and tireless dedication.”
“Being put presented with a national award that includes past recipients like Leeza Gibbons, Marie Osmond, and Fran Drescher was a truly incredible experience and validated a lifetime of efforts and beliefs,” said Riser. “I have always been taught that giving back is the “rent” we pay for living in this world. Our Future Professionals and team members continue to be bombarded on a daily basis with a message that we are all separate and in discord: I hope to become a mentor to show them that you can reject these ideas and live a “giving life” while still being financially successful in business. As my mentor John Paul always says,“Success unshared is failure.”
Co-hosted by TV and radio personality Leeza Gibbons and Paul Mitchell Schools’ Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh, the Gala recognizes the top FUNraising schools and other major contributors, including numerous artists and educators who donate their time and talent to the campaign. Over 14,000 future professionals and team members from the 110 Paul Mitchell cosmetology schools raised over $1.5 million bringing their 14-year total to $18.2 million for charity. THE TEMPLE: A Paul Mitchell Partner School raised over $16,500 towards this goal.
This year’s event also acknowledged makeup expert and frequent Temple guest artist, Debra Dietrich who has singlehandedly raised over $1 million in the past six years by offering specialized makeup classes to schools across the country and donating all proceeds to the campaign. The event also recognized winners of the “First 100” contest—the first 100 students and team members to each raise at least $3,000 were invited to attend the Gala, where they enjoyed a “meet and greet” photo op with celebrity guests plus a day of hands-on education the next day with longhair expert Martin Parsons, master barber Darrin “DL” Lyons, and Debra Dietrich.
