Above: A Southborough business is celebrating a rebrand this week. Going forward, it will continue to promote multiple collection drives at their facility. (images cropped from flyer and from non-profits’ websites)
A Southborough medspa announced a special open house to celebrate its rebrand this Thursday. The owner of the former Rio Medical tells me that they are splitting off from their Hudson location to form an independent business. To celebrate, they’re inviting the public to an Open House this Thursday.
Re-named Aurora Aesthetics and Wellness, the business will continue to hold its ongoing collections for charitable causes with monthly drawings for free facials as an incentive.
Open House
Owner Theresa Frias tells me that the medspa will continue to be run by the same team and staff, just under the new name — Aurora Aesthetics and Wellness.
The Open House will take place Thursday, September 25th from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Attendees can enjoy refreshments, door prizes, giveaways, and “event only pricing”.
The location is 54 Central St with a parking lot on Cherry Street. If attendees can’t find parking there, they are asking people to “park along Fay Park or across at the Historical Society”.
You can find more information about the Aurora and its services here.
Charitable Collections and Drawing Refresher
Anyone who donates to one of the following ongoing collections below will be entered in the monthly drawings on the first Friday of the month. (Frias tells me that there are also other special activities that they occasionally post at random times on social media for followers.)
Each donation counts as one entry, and there is one entry allowed per category per day. The donations can be dropped off any time during regular business hours.
Here are more details on each of the drives her business is collecting for:
MetroWest Princess Boutique
Not coincidentally, this drive is run by the Marlborough Jr Women’s Club. You can view Channel 7 news’ coverage of the annual event that took place in March here.
According to Frias, they take collections year round of prom dresses, shoes, jewelry and purses to prepare for the free pre-prom “boutique”. The event supports students who who may not be otherwise able to afford dressing up for prom. (So keep them in mind after this year’s prom!)
GotSneakers
Used sneakers are mailed to the organization “to keep the textiles out of the land fills.” According to Frias, they don’t get much back through the organization’s fundraising incentive, but “by recycling the sneakers we are able to save thousands of gallons of water and prevent CO2 emissions from releasing into our atmosphere.”
Dignity Matters
The organization has multiple initiatives to support pubescent aged girls and women. Rio is specifically helping to collect new or gently used bras for homeless women. The charity’s mission includes supporting “women in regaining self-confidence and dignity”.
Frias notes, “let’s face it. We have all bought a new bra because it’s pretty or says that it is the size we think we are; and then we wear it once and hate it, but can not return it to the store with no tags.”
Fresh Start Furniture
Rio collects small household goods for the organization that distributes them, for free, to people in need. You can find details on what household items the charity takes here.
As is made obvious by the charity’s name, they also collect furniture, but please don’t bring in your tables and sofas to Rio! (You can donate directly to the local organization, but Frias points out that their drop off hours are more limited than her business.)
Project Just Because
This organization also has multiple initiatives. Rio’s collection promoted donation of non-perishable items. I assume that those items support their “Free Grocery Store”, and their collections for the Hopkinton Food Pantry. (They also have a Gluten Free Pantry, so items that fit description would likely be especially appreciated.) [Editor’s Note: They will also accept items listed under the organization’s current needs, which can often includes gently used clothing in addition to new items.]*
Pet Supplies
Dog & cat supplies, as well as pee pads and cleaning supplies. Thse mainly go to the animal rescue nonprofit Eddie’s Rescue Ranch. Items they can’t use are donated to Buddy Dog.
