Longevity logo

Beauty in a small town

Altitude Spa, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.

By Hannah BPublished 4 years ago 5 min read
5

Spa: a place one is encouraged to visit in order to pamper and take care of one's self. A tranquil place of relaxation, luxury, wellness, and beauty. Or, as some in our town would like to call it.... "fancy!" Until 10 years ago, I don't think many people in our town of 7,000 would have ever thought such a "fancy" place could survive in our blue collar farming community. Yet, here we are: Altitude Spa is beloved by men and women of all ages in not just our community, but in our province, our country, and now, in a little part of Uganda.

In 2010, Altitude Spa was opened by Ponoka local, Kim Green, who also owns and runs her dental hygiene business in the building. Kim and her staff began teaching our community that a small town spa has nothing to do with "fancy", and everything to do with being a global citizen. The staff and owners of Altitude wanted the focus to be on beauty through wellness and happiness, and began giving the gift of making others feel beautiful, empowered, and unified from the day they opened their doors. This is not just a spot for pedicures, massages, and a wicked wax appointment. Though you may come to Altitude to practise self care, you walk into a place filled with people and a mission that demonstrate a passion for the care of others. From donating spa supplies, cosmetics, and robes to the Central Alberta Emergency Women's Shelter, to hosting free spa days for the women who lost their homes in the Fort McMurray fires and beyond, Altitude puts Ponoka on the map as a town that cares for everyone and is always willing to lend a hand. This year, on their tenth anniversary, Altitude is going for the biggest demonstration of love for others yet.

Altitude Spa creates beauty, not by "making people beautiful", but by reminding others that life is a beautiful gift to share in with others. Not only does Altitude tell the citizens of our small town to care for community members, but for everyone: those around the block, and those around the globe.

The Binding Hands project is Altitude Spa's biggest and most ambitious exercise in citizenship yet, with a goal of helping to build an orphanage and provide school supplies for 60+ children in Masonde, Uganda. The funds are to be raised by opening the Spa on three Sundays (the only day the Spa is closed to the public) to provide regular spa services. The proceeds from every service on these Sundays will be going straight to the project fund, and no staff that volunteers to donate their time or services will be receiving wages or gratuities on these three days.

With the COVID19 health crisis temporarily closing the doors to the spa, Altitude is unable to launch the first of three Binding Hands Sundays that was scheduled to launch April 5th, 2020. Though we all wait eagerly in Ponoka to be able to get pedicures and massages to help these children, the children of Masonde, Uganda wait much more eagerly to have a place to live. It is breaking the hearts of the Altitude staff and their supporters to have to wait to send these children our monetary support so that they may have warm beds to sleep in, running water, working toilets, and the opportunity to go to school.

I write about this incredible business and their mission today because though we can't support the project by attending the spa right now, though we may be waiting to send our support to all of the beautiful children and the incredible people looking after them in Masonde, I want everyone to be talking about this project until the day Altitude can get it up and running. When the dust settles and we emerge from this health crisis, grateful and unified, I want everyone to remember the little small town spa who have cared so much for others when they've needed a helping hand, the next time they need a massage or a manicure. When choosing a local business to support and get back on their feet, I want everyone to remember that these staff have been without work or any way of generating revenue until the day the doors opened, and have been waiting to create beauty in our community once again. Then, I want everyone within driving distance who can attend the first Binding Hands Sunday to be there, lined up outside of the doors at opening time, waiting to support this business and their staff, who, after months with no work, will be there working all day for free to send money to Uganda.

In times like these, we forget about the "fancy", the places of "luxury", and we feel for the businesses that sell goods instead of a service. Of course I want the elderly lady who can no longer sell her jars of homemade honey to get a boost through this crisis. Of course I feel terrible for the family that owns the movie theatre who now wonder how they will make rent with theatres full of empty seats. I just don't think that it's fair that we leave out our friends who not only serve our community for a living, and who cannot make a living without providing their services, but who have now lost out on the opportunity to begin their greatest gesture of service so far, The Binding Hands project. Don't forget those who create beauty; now more than ever, notice it is them who we miss as we sit in our homes.

I briefly spoke with Altitude Spa owner and founder Kim Green to let her know that I am writing this article in hopes to generate interest around the eventual launch of the project, as well as to win money for the spa in this uncertain time. Kim has stated that any donated monies at this time will be going to Uganda so that they may start the construction of the orphanage as soon as possible.

self care
5

About the Creator

Hannah B

Mom, self proclaimed funny girl, and publicly proclaimed "piece of work".

Lover and writer of fiction and non-fiction alike and hoping you enjoy my attempts at writing either.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.