Tears filled Kathy Yonkers’ eyes when she listened to her daughter Erin read the essay that she wrote for her.
“My mom is really brave because five years ago, my dad was diagnosed with cancer,” wrote Erin, a 4th grade student at Saint James Regional School in Ridley Park. “Unfortunately, he got a really rare cancer and died on February 19, 2014. During that rough time, my mom stayed brave for me.”
Those words touched Marc Voci, as well. The owner of the Marc Voci Salon in Folsom, Pa. and creator of Style Me Hired was reading through essays written by students at Saint James, explaining why their moms deserved a free Mother’s Day makeover. Ever since he began the competition three years ago, Voci has gone through numerous essays. Yet few have touched him as much as Erin’s.
“I really believe in my heart that God brought us together to shine the light that she needs this weekend,” Voci said. “I just said to myself this would be a wonderful experience for Kathy on Mother’s Day. We would shine some light on her life and her children’s life.”
Kathy, who works full time and is a mother of two, was shocked when Voci knocked on her door on Saturday, announcing that she had won a free makeover thanks to her daughter’s winning essay.
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“I didn’t know she even entered anything,” Kathy said while laughing. “She usually can’t keep a secret from me.”
Kathy received a free makeover, lunch, Macy’s gift card, and flowers. Yet she was most grateful for her daughter’s words, which acknowledged her strength during a time of incredible hardship.
“My mom doesn’t need a makeover because she is beautiful just the way she is,” Erin wrote. “But she deserves one.”
Kathy held her daughter close after she finished reading her essay.
“She’s amazing,” Kathy said. “Just like her dad.”
