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Fair Fundraising for a good friend
Fellow salon owner and staff raise money for Therese Knopf
In a little salon in Hewlett, a group of women banded together on May 9 to support an old friend, Therese Knopf. Just Therese a one-woman salon, solely owned by Therese Knopf, is closed while she is recovering from open heart surgery.
Knopf is expected to need at least six weeks to recover from her mitral valve replacement. She will be staying with her sister, Peggy Knopf, during her recovery. “Therese is doing as well as can be expected at this time,” Peggy said.
While trying to recover, Knopf also has the stress of having her business being closed, and no income at this time. Adele Santoro, who has been friends with Knopf for over 30 years, stepped up to help her friend in need. Knopf used to work for Santoro, and even briefly lived with her after Knopf’s Oceanside home was seriously damaged after Hurricane Sandy in 2013.
Santoro, with the help of her entire staff of Salon Due Mila of Merrick, held a fundraiser in Knopf’s Hewlett salon on that Monday with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support Knopf’s recovery. Santoro speaking of her staff said: “They were all on board and wanted to help Therese,” by providing haircuts, manicures, pedicures, make-up applications and other beauty services.
The cozy salon with big comfy chairs, decorated with photos of Marilyn Monroe, was filled with old friends and loyal customers of Knopf. Jennifer Poupis, of Malverne, who came in for a blow-out said: “I know Therese and Adele for over 30 years. I needed to be here.”
Tobi Britton, a licensed make-up artist, who also offered her assistance will be traveling to “Just Therese” twice a week to provide eyelash applications to some of Knopf’s clients while she is recovering. Even though Britton lives in eastern Long Island, she still offered to help out regularly because she understands that, “Rent doesn’t care if you’re sick,” she said.
By Monday, Santoro and her staff had raised more than $1,000 that would go to help Knopf with any small business expenses she may have.
Santoro also started a GoFundMe campaign online. To help Therese Knopf donate at www.gofundme.com/pleasehelptherese.
