Salt Lake’s unhoused women get makeovers, celebrate at annual Valentine’s banquet

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Volunteers gathered on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 16, for the 15th annual Valentine’s Banquet and Hair and Makeup Makeover for the Homeless Women of Salt Lake City.

About 100 women attended the volunteer-run event, with a pop-up salon pampering attendees with free haircuts, makeup, nail polish, clothing, and other donations before the banquet. Cosmetology students and volunteers from CARE-Cuts provided their services for the makeovers.

Sheryl Bertholf, who was receiving a makeover before the banquet, told ABC4.com the event “means the world” to her.

“I am so grateful for these people to be able to help us out — those that are homeless,” Bertholf said. “I’m just so grateful for them. I don’t know how to put it into words.”

Jonathan Hall, co-chair of CARE-Cuts, praised the volunteers offering the haircuts ahead of the banquet.

“They have so many hours they get in order to get their schooling to go out and cut hair,” Hall said. “They do an amazing job, and they have amazing instructors. They’ve been working with us for a long time.”

At the banquet, attendees had a formal dinner, a photo booth, and live music. Each woman received a gift bag at the event, and volunteers came from a variety of religious organizations.

“They feel more special than they ever have by this one-time event,” Bonnie Beck, director of the event, said.