'Let’s love and nourish the community': Ema Rose to mark second anniversary with fundraiser gala event

In the heart of Wasilla beats a salon with a luxurious and lavish vibe. Ema Rose Hair is primping for their two-year anniversary Saturday, June 4 with a gala night event, with music, a silent auction, and opportunities to donate, with all proceeds going to Safe Families for Children Alaska.

“We are having our two-year anniversary. Last year we had a family event during the day geared towards different family groups. This year, I wanted to do something a little more like a dress-up affair,” says owner and stylist Ema Rose of the upcoming anniversary celebration.

“My design for this business has always been ‘let’s love and nourish the community and Safe Families is an organization that is very near and dear to my heart, so instead of just doing it (the anniversary) for us, we’re bringing in that partnership,” says Ema Rose.

Safe Families for Children (SFFC) hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family-like supports for families facing a crisis through a community of compassionate volunteers to keep children safe and families together. The goal of SFFC is to provide voluntary services to families experiencing a time of crisis outside of placing children within child welfare agencies.

Ema Rose Hair will be bringing in Rebecca Hasings to sing, there will be a silent auction with items donated by various business community members. The event will be catered. All proceeds will go to SFFC.

Ema Rose came to be aware of a need in the Valley as not only a parent, but also because of her career.

“We all hear things, but it’s nothing like being a hairdresser…we’re like a point of reference for all of these different groups , so I hear how much of an issue we have in the Valley,” she says, “I love so many different organizations here, it was hard to choose one, but I think we need Safe Families right now.” She is referring to the overwhelming need for resources and foster homes in the Borough, in Alaska, and across the United States.

While she would love to have a much bigger turnout for the fundraiser, Ema Rose says it will instead be limited to 50, and to get a coveted ticket, Ema Rose Hair is asking for a kid-friendly board game which will in turn be donated to SFFC.

“I didn’t want to do something where people have to pay a high dollar amount, I don’t want it to be exclusive, but inclusive.”

Ema Rose Hair opened in 2020 then had to close due to COVID, but has went on to re-open before getting hit with closures after the windstorm back in January.

“We did get hit, we flooded during the windstorm that took a while to repair, but we have survived” she said.

“We’re trying to create something that’s a little bit different. It’s fun. It’s a new idea to Wasilla. It’s fresh,” Ema Rose says with a smile before adding, “we are a loving group of people…we want to give luxury to our guests and take care of my staff.”

Ema Rose hopes that people will turn out to support a great cause and be ready to mingle, eat, and have a good time.

To find out more about Ema Rose Hair, visit emarosehair.com or visit their Facebook page.

To learn more about Safe Families for Children, visit safe-families.org