Store promotes something special for kids in Ghana

For the past 15 months, the unique Riverdale store, Someplace Special, Haircuts and Toys For Kids and owner Suzanne Axelbank have raised money to help a group of children in Ghana who had been living in slavery.

Supporting an organization called International Organization for Migration that rescues the children and attempts to turn their lives around, Someplace Special, located at 490 W. 238th Street, has donated toys to the children and collected more than $800 with the proceeds from charity events, in-store donations, and the sale of specially designed rubber bracelets. 

The bracelets say “Welcome” which is the name of one of the boys that Axelbank has sponsored.

Now because of her commitment to these children, Axelbank and the hair salon have been named as a finalist in the Make the World More Fun contest sponsored by The Oriental Trading Company.  If selected, a gift of $5,000 worth of Oriental Trading products and a $5,000 donation will be made to the IOM for the children.

“When I first found out about these children, I felt I had to do something to help,” Axelbank said.  “So in 2007 we turned our fifth anniversary into a fundraiser and took in $500.  But then I thought that these kids, who had been through so much, needed some fun in their lives.”

That's when Axelbank began sending them toys, Tootsie Pops and other goodies, which fit right into the Oriental Trading Make the World More Fun concept.

More recently, Axelbank received notice that Someplace Special had been selected as one of 10 finalists in the contest because of an essay she wrote describing what she could do to help the children have fun.

In order to be selected as the winner, one of the criteria is an Internet vote. Axelbank is requesting that Someplace Special's many customers, friends and neighbors cast their vote for her efforts to benefit the IOM and the children of Ghana by visiting www.maketheworldmorefun.com.  

The voting period is July 22 - August 4.  Please note that only one vote per computer is permitted.

“I've received some incredible, heartfelt letters from the children in Ghana who feel blessed that someone has tried to care for them from so far away,” Axelbank said, “and if we can win this contest, it will be further confirmation that every child deserves a full and rewarding life.”

To donate to the IOM through Someplace Special or get more information about the Internet vote, visit the store, call 718-432-6622 or visit www.someplacespecialforkids.com.