Donate to Aid Wink Salon Team's Recovery Hurricane Helene

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Help our staff of Wink Salon After Hurricane Helene

My name is Christine DiBenedetto from Asheville, NC. I had a beloved business in Biltmore Village, NC for twenty years a incredibly special place called Wink Salon. I am writing this Go Fund me on behalf of the staff that I adore. Most of the staff do not have internet or power, so they are unable to share or even see this.

It’s incredibly difficult for me to ask for help, but today, I need to do so—not for myself, but for the amazing people who make Wink Salon what it is.

Hurricane Helene has devastated our beloved salon. Many of our stylists—who have dedicated their lives to uplifting others through their craft—are now facing an uncertain future. These are some of the most hardworking, generous, and dedicated people I know, and they’ve spent years perfecting their skills, supporting our clients, and building a community of care and connection. They are amazing. I am so in love with them—they have given me such purpose.

A salon is more than just a place where hair is done; it’s a place where people are listened to, cared for, and lifted up. Our team is filled with stylists who give their all every day, working long hours, apprenticing, paying their dues—all with the goal of making others feel beautiful and seen. Some of them have children or are expecting, others care for elderly family members, and like many in Asheville, they’re unsure what the future holds for themselves or their families. Wink has spent over 20 years leading and training stylists, and all our stylists take a large part in educating and training the next generation of stylists. They have made so many contributions to our entire city.

The destruction from the hurricane means we’re facing the possibility of no income for a very long time, and for many of our team members, that’s devastating. We do have one small salon that was spared, and we’re hopeful to get it running again soon, but the reality is, we need help to get back on our feet. I am going to try to get to the salon as soon as I can to scrounge for their scissors so I can clean them and get them back into their hands. I'm not hopeful of recovering much. The salon is totally devastated.

I’ve been blessed to lead this incredible team, and the thought of them struggling breaks my heart. I cannot even look at pictures of them without tears. It has been an honor to serve this community and these beautiful souls who give so much.

Please, if you can find it in your heart to donate—even a small amount—it would mean the world to us. Every contribution will help our team recover, rebuild, and continue to do the work they love as soon as they can get back. I don't know what this means for us as a team. We already experienced the loss after COVID how it changed the salon and I can't imagine how this wont' do the same. Whatever funds we generate will go directly to our staff.

Thank you for considering helping our staff in this dire time.

With love and gratitude,

Christine DiBenedetto, Gilda Santiago, Jay Melancon

Wink Salon