Paul Mitchell The Schools Do It Again: $1.5 MILLION for Charity!

The “First 100,” or the first 100 students and team members who raised at least $3,000 for charities, would were invited to attend Paul Mitchell The Schools’ Gala!

After two-and-a-half months of cut-a-thons, fashion shows, princess parties and thousands of other “FUNraisers,” Paul Mitchell The Schools raised over $1.5 million—incredibly bringing the schools’ 13-year FUNraising total to $16.7 million!

From left to right: U.S. Army Master Sergeant Cedric King, Marie Osmond, Fran Drescher, Kathy Buckley and Winn Claybaugh

More than 14,000 future professionals and team members from the 110 schools helped raise money, celebrated at the 13th Annual Gala, co-hosted by “Celebrity Apprentice” winner Leeza Gibbons and Paul Mitchell The Schools’ Dean and Co-Founder Winn Claybaugh. The star-studded guest list included Fran Drescher, Michael Jai White, Marie Osmond, John Paul DeJoria and more!

From left to right: Robert Cromeans, John Paul DeJoria, Mary Cuomo

The Gala celebrated the top FUNraising schools and other major contributors, plus the winners of the “First 100” contest—the first 100 students and team members who raised at least $3,000. These 100 amazing future professionals and team members were invited to attend the Gala, a “meet and greet” photo op and a day of hands-on education with celebrity stylist Ruth Roche, Paul Mitchell Global Director of Film and Motion Takashi Kitamuri, Paul Mitchell Global Artistic Director Robert Cromeans, and world-renowned inspirational speaker Tim Storey.

The Gala was also an opportunity to mingle with some of the industry’s leading icons and artists, including Robert Lobetta, Martin Parsons, Sam Brocato and more.

Gala attendees got to see a hilarious comedy routine by Paul Mitchell The Schools owner and standup comic Dante Carter, plus entertainment by the James Garner Tribute to Johnny Cash Band. Winn and Leeza introduced the charities benefitting from FUNraising and their representatives, including:

• Food 4 Africa – John Paul DeJoria
• Cancer Schmancer – Fran Drescher
• Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals – Marie Osmond
• Gary Sinise Foundation – U.S. Army Master Sergeant Cedric King
• CAST, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking – Michael Jai White
• No Limits – Kathy Buckley
• Thirst Project – Seth Maxwell and “Supergirl” star Chyler Leigh
• Magic Johnson Foundation – Magic Johnson (who was unable to attend the Gala, but did attend the education event the next day)

From left to right: Leeza Gibbons, Ruth Roche and Winn Claybaugh

Marie Osmond also received the 2016 Andrew Gomez Compassionate Service Award in recognition of her longstanding commitment to not only her own organization, but also the annual FUNraising campaign. “Marie has consistently appeared and performed at multiple FUNraising Galas and Paul Mitchell The Schools’ student Caper events, creating unbelievable magic for everyone.”

2016 Top 20 FUNraising Schools

1. Parisian Beauty Academy, A Paul Mitchell Partner School: $42,146
2. Paul Mitchell The School Jacksonville: $37,178
3. Paul Mitchell The School San Diego: $36,355
4. Paul Mitchell The School Tulsa: $35,897
5. Paul Mitchell The School Las Vegas: $34,000
6. Paul Mitchell The School Michigan: $31,927
7. Paul Mitchell The School Fresno: $31,000
8. Rudy and Kelly Academy, A Paul Mitchell Partner School: $28,509
9. Paul Mitchell The School St. Louis: $28,469
10. Paul Mitchell The School Fort Myers: $27,100
11. Paul Mitchell The School Fayetteville N.C.: $25,713
12. Michael’s School of Hair Design, A Paul Mitchell Partner School: $25,492
13. Paul Mitchell The School Phoenix: $25,150
14. Paul Mitchell The School North Haven: $24,563
15. Paul Mitchell The School Danbury: $24,520
16. Paul Mitchell The School Dallas: $24,091
17. Paul Mitchell The School Temecula: $23,803
18. Paul Mitchell The School Charlotte: $23,277
19. Paul Mitchell The School Chicago: $22,823
20. Paul Mitchell The School Salt Lake City: $20,294