Local salon sponsors fashion show benefit

Over the seven years John Ramos has run Jon-Claud Salon, he has gotten to know his customers well. So when he decided to put on a benefit fashion show for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, he didn’t have to go far to get the word out.

With a collection of clients and friends, Ramos has assembled a team of 25 models who will be coiffed and made up for the Saturday, Aug. 25 poolside runway show, dubbed “Runway for a Cure.”

“Everyone’s been affected by cancer with at least one relative or person they know,” said Ramos, who owns the salon with his wife Claudia. “It’s a great cause.”

Ramos has offered his services for several benefits over the years, but this is the first one he is spearheading, he said.

“I’m putting it all together myself and seeing what I come up with,” he said.

Ramos said he hopes to raise $10,000, and has already raised over $3,000. Individual tickets are $50. For $200 corporate sponsors get two tickets and recognition on the program.

“Sometimes I feel you have to give something back to the community, and a fashion show also raises money for a good cause,” said Ramos.

One of the first steps to putting the show together was finding a location to hold it. But after discussing his idea with Ron Peabody, co-owner of Quail Ridge Country Club and a regular customer of Ramos’, over a haircut, Peabody offered his facility for the event.

“John mentioned it while cutting Ron’s hair, and Ron said ‘I’ve got the perfect location for you,’” said Jennifer Shea, a spokesperson for the country club.

Quail Ridge has held a number of benefit golf tournaments, including one to raise money to modify homes of disabled Iraq war veterans, but Shea said this is the first time the club has donated the use of its facilities for such an event.

Ramos will be doing the hair and makeup for the models and Elizabeth Lee Boutique in Wayland will donate the clothing. A number of local musicians will also be performing a range of music from jazz, to light rock, to country and western.

Local businesses have pitched in too, including Ichabod’s Coffee House, which will be providing hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, and instructors from the West Concord Dance Academy, who will be coordinating the models.

For more information on the Runway for a Cure, call John Ramos at 978-870-6230.