Gratitude Graffiti Project Comes to Summit

Blow In Blow Out, Summit's new blow dry bar, is inviting patrons and passersby to embrace an attitude of gratitude.

Starting Monday, the community is encouraged to express what they're thankful for by writing it on the salon's storefront windows as the business partners with the non-profit organization The Gratitude Graffiti Project. Neon-colored markers will be available outside the salon so anyone walking by can stop and leave a message. 

"We are so blessed to have founded our business in Summit and the town has been so gracious and welcoming," Tara Galatt, Blow In Blow Out's owner said. "Our business is booming and we wanted to share our thanks by expressing it for all the town to see – on our windows. It is our hope that the positive messages this town will share on our windows will resonate in towns across New Jersey.”

Gratitude Graffiti co-founder Candice Davenport of Maplewood, a nurse and a public health educator, said having public spaces serve as a canvas for community members to share their thoughts sends a powerful message. Already happening in many towns throughout the Garden State, Vancouver, British Columbia recently embraced the project ahead of Canada's Thanksgiving Day, celebrated Oct. 14.

"From gratitude stems charity," Davenport explained. "The next move, after taking stock of all things you have, is to ask, 'what can I do for others?' It's a nice evolution." 

Blow In Blow Out is taking that next step and hosting a food drive which runs until Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day. Those wishing to share their good fortune in a more tangible way are invited to bring non-perishable food items to the salon for donation to the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, a non-profit food bank, which provides supplemental and emergency food to those in need in the cities of Orange and East Orange. On average, IFPO serves 100 families per week, according to its website. 

Galatt said when clients leave Blow In Blow Out they look stunning and this initiative offers an opportunity to feel great inside and out. 

Davenport explained that while the salon is the first place in Summit to support the endeavor, Atlantic Health Systems will bring the Gratitude Graffiti Project to Morristown and Overlook hospitals starting Tuesday. 

"Seeing the goodness in your life is so important for the healing process," Davenport said. "We would love to see it become a community tradition and a national movement. When you think of every day as a gift, that reframes everything."

Blow In Blow Out is located at 330 Springfield Ave. in Summit. For more information, call 908-273-4947, email info@blowin-blowout.com or visit the salon's website.