tlandreville@langleyadvance.com
A hard-working single mom of three adopted children, Sarah Scarrow isn’t used to being pampered.
But this year’s Extreme Home Repair (EHR) recipient and her teen daughter Teara received plenty of pampering on a recent Friday, courtesy of local realtor Diane Sparks-Cassidy from Prudential Power Play Realty, along with Langley’s Mark Anthony Academy of Cosmetology.
Sarah and her kids, ages 18, 17, and 11, were already set to receive a gift of a lifetime from the EHR team from Church in the Valley (CIV).
EHR is part of the church’s longstanding Acts of Kindness (AOK) program, which serves the community in many ways.
For this year’s EHR, Sarah’s 40-year old split-level home in Aldergrove was completely renovated by a group of more than 200 volunteers and tradespeople, with a huge amount of support from roughly 85 local businesses.
Although Sarah works full-time, most of her paycheque goes toward the mortgage, which leaves very little left money over for property repair and upkeep.
Leading up to the big reveal that happened this past Victoria Day Monday, Sarah and Teara were given an additional, very personal gift.
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on May 13, mom and daughter enjoyed a full day at the spa including a pedicure, manicure, full body massage, facial, hair cut, and colour.
“It was amazing,” said Sarah, who had previously never set foot in a spa. “A scalp massage is highly recommended.”
Sparks-Cassidy – who each year gives EHR recipients a makeover to match their homes – provided lunch in order to, she said, “really make it feel special.”
Each year, Sparks-Cassidy looks forward to giving the mom of an EHR household a makeover because she gets the opportunity to meet “wonderful women who always put their families before themselves.”
“So to provide them with a day of pampering and watch the joy beam from their faces is just a real feel good moment,” Sparks-Cassidy said.
Sparks-Cassidy doesn’t meet the recipient until their day at the spa, where Mark Anthony students give them a personal makeover, and this year admits it was an emotional meeting.
“I have to tell you I got a little misty when Sarah told me a spa day was on her bucket list,” Sparks-Cassidy said. “She was over the moon with Joy, and so was her daughter.”
Sarah said once the day at the spa was done, she felt that she looked 10 years younger.
During conversation, Sparks-Cassidy learned that Teara was graduating this year so she asked her if she would like to come back for an ‘Up-Do’ and make-up for her grad day.
“She was thrilled so they did a rehearsal for her graduation hairdo and she loved it,” Sparks Cassidy related. “So she will return to Mark Anthony for her grad hair and makeup.”
Sparks-Cassidy said senior educational administrator Launie Morgan at Mark Anthony Academy of Cosmetology “stepped up to the plate again this year,” donating half the cost of everything while providing “outstanding service.”
“Everyone there really made the day special for the girls,” Sparks-Cassidy said. “I look forward to meeting and giving next year’s recipient a wonderful day.”
Sarah said she was “overwhelmed with gratitude” to Sparks-Cassidy and the Mark Anthony Academy.
“They really made me feel like a princess,” Sarah said.