– Spas are places devoted to overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit. Several International SPA Association (ISPA) member spas are taking that a step further and are focusing on educational programs, fundraisers, donations and other philanthropic gifts.
ISPA President Lynne McNees, said. “Consumers feel good about going to businesses that give back. Spas are successfully doing their part and supporting the communities that support them. The spa industry has been paying it forward for years and we are becoming more aware of the good deeds spas and their providers are doing.”
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Lantana, Florida, partners with the United Way of Palm Beach and Habitat for Humanity. In the process of renovation this year, Eau Spa will donate everything that still has value in Habitat for Humanity building programs, according to owner Eva Hill. The spa also contributed to Family First and Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse during the holidays, donating toys and clothing.
The Club at Las Campanas in Santa Fe, New Mexico, chose a widespread approach to giving back and developed a philanthropic partnership with the Santa Fe Community Foundation after a membership survey demonstrated the spa’s guests’ dedication to the community. The partnership produced the Las Campanas Community Fund, a permanent investment of 5 percent disbursed annually to local charities—as much as 75,000 dollars in 2012. Some spas work philanthropy into both their mission and hiring practices. Spa Shiki at the Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri, requires that, upon interview and hiring, each associate understands he or she must give one complimentary treatment per month to one of four local charities. The spa shares its initiatives with clients and asks for financial help during certain months, such as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
In addition to donating to philanthropic institutions and local nonprofits, Kurotel – Longevity Center and Spa in Gramado, Brazil, also partners with schools to promote healthier lifestyles.
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth.