SOUTH OGDEN - A group of people who don't often hear appreciation got a big thank you Tuesday in the form of free haircuts and pampering.
Twenty beauticians, estheticians and massage therapists at the Platinum Image Salon and Day Spa offered their services to law enforcement officers for three hours.
The effort was in observance of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
"I think our police officers never really get pampered," said Sue Zampedri, salon owner and organizer of the event.
Syracuse Patrol Officer Casey Johnson was one who got his hair cut along with a hair wash, scalp treatment, hot-towel facial, hand massage and back massage.
"This is the ultimate pampering, which they really, really deserve," Zampedri said.
Johnson said, "Being a cop, people don't always thank us. They are always mad at us."
Stylist Alicia Herbert said Johnson was choked up when he told her about his appreciation for the service.
"He started getting teary," she said. "He said cops don't get appreciation. It's usually the firemen or the EMTs."
Sheena Patterson, a L'Oreal Professionnel hair care product representative, attended the event and offered any help salon employees needed from her as well as free products to the police officers there.
"I think it's awesome that they join together as a team," Patterson said of the salon employees who were providing the free service.
A handful of the officers who attended the event also donated money to a fundraiser the salon is running all month to raise money for child abuse prevention.
Zampedri said her salon already has raised $325 for the cause. She had expected it to take her the whole month to raise that much money.
"People are just really willing to get behind this cause," she said.
Donors are allowed to post papers with their names on them in the salon.
They also may purchase child abuse prevention T-shirts for $15.
"Pinwheels reflect the bright future all children deserve. You can take action and help make this happen," reads a sign in front of the salon, inviting those concerned to purchase $1 pinwheels for the cause.
Zampedri said she decided on the event and fundraiser to support her husband Rick's efforts. He's on the board of directors for Prevent Child Abuse Utah.
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