HALO Group holds ‘Cuts for a Cause’ event for fundraising efforts

Saturday afternoon, in the parking lot of First Baptist Church in Perry, the HALO Group (consisting of Angela Cuti, Deborah Vickers, April Tew, and Melanie Murphy) held a ‘Cuts for a Cause’ fundraising event to raise funds for their mission to fully renovate the historic Perry Hotel on 800 Main Street into a vocational, educational, and residential program for special needs kids.

The event was organized by Gail Vance, a hair stylist at Perry Wellness Salon and Day Spa. “Melanie and I have been friends for probably about 40 years, so with their organization, they asked us if we could do a cut-a-thon to help them raise money for their organization,” said Vance. “We’re just asking for donations for haircuts. We’ve had live entertainment all day long and these are the people that contacted me wanting to donate their time for the entertainment. We have someone doing face painting for kids and all the money we collect will be given to the HALO Group.”

“We are so grateful for Gail and the hair stylists for going out of their way for us,” said Cuti, the executive director of the group.

Along with Vance, there were six local hair stylists who were in attendance. The stylists were Michele Ryals from Rockin’ Robin Salon Studio in Perry, Emily Rylanda from Outer Expression Salon in Byron, Brook Temple and Lisa Ellison from Salon Seven in Perry, Davida Simpson from Davida’s Hair Salon in Perry, and Kim Hathcock from Perry Wellness Salon and Day Spa. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks were served for the event, with Bobby Ryals of Alfa Insurance Policy and Ronald Vance serving as the grill masters.

The HALO Group, which is currently under contract with the New Perry Hotel, just recently got an extension on the hotel said Cuti. “We actually wanted to get an extension on the hotel and we’ve graciously been offered another extension, just to make sure we are dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s,” said Cuti. “We’re making sure we find the right partnerships and making sure the LLC (Limited Liability Company) entities that we bring in for a multi-use mixed building is going to help qualify us for benefiting from federal and state tax credits for the renovation of the building.”

Cuti said that the group members are working with a lot of people during this process and have participated in plenty of meetings and group discussions with tax attorneys, people from the National Historical Society, and architects to get everybody’s “valuable contribution in the development of the program.” Cuti added that they have hired experts who are coming to assess the building and ensure that it’s registered under the historical registry.

“Looking at our business plans and our programming, we are waiting for those final numbers so that what we want to do can be maximized usage for the tax benefits and credits to help offset half the renovations,” explained Cuti. “They’re doing community fundraising for half the renovations and we’re going to match the other half with the federal and state grants for preserving historical sites and that will help with developing our programming so that we can move forward.”

The HALO Group said that they anticipate that by the end of October they will fully acquire the Perry Hotel.

“Personally, my goal is that I like to see every business in Houston County employ at least one person with special needs. We want to come in and become the cheerleaders for vocational rehab in Perry,” said Cuti passionately. “We don’t want to rush this because it’s not just a local thing, we’re developing a program with a business plan for three, five, 10, and 20 years from now, and for a lasting legacy. It’s not just where it’s at but it’s who’s behind it. We really feel like we’re developing our model in Perry and then we can stretch it out to areas like Savannah, Athens, McDonough, and throughout Georgia.”

Cuti said that the group’s goal is to raise $150,000 dollars before the end of October and that they are looking at possibly renting a space at a building on Kellwood Drive in Perry where they could conduct training, social gatherings, volunteer support group activities, parent support groups, and more.

“We’re seeking grant funding to renovate the building and if you believe in the program and service of our mission, then donate to us, because it’s so much more than a building,” said Cuti. “Money shows support and if people put their money where their heart is, then it just helps the mission.”