The Annual Friends and Helpers Holiday Event was held December 8 at Wilber Avenue Elementary in Tarzana, CA. Friends and Helpers assists women, parents, families, and children affected by domestic abuse. Because so many victims flee their abusive situation with only the clothes on their backs, Friends and Helpers organizes basic necessity gift bags as well as special holiday initiatives, including "Adopt a Family." 

The event is a gathering of volunteers who assemble the gift bags. Approximately 200 people showed up to wrap donated gifts, organize beauty bags and stuff stockings. 1,000 families will receive stockings and beauty bags.

Marie Ferro of Marie’s Hair Studio managed the women’s beauty bag campaign. Some of the beauty companies that stepped forward to help were The Body Shop, Colorproof, Goldwell, Phyto, Burts’s Beeswax , OPI, Malibu C, Paul Mitchell and Room at the Beach.

"After food and shelter, the most requested thing by battered women and their families is beauty and self care items," said Ferro. "These small items go a long way in restoring some self care and esteem in traumatic situations.Everyone who shows up to help is a volunteer and they come from many different walks of life.There are celebrities, different organizations that support where ever they find need and  members of the military. Kevin Beyeler of the morning radio show 'Kevin and Bean' announces the event and talks about what we do, so that pulls from a wide audience."

Anyone looking to get involved can contact: www.friendsandhelpers.org