Balfour Beatty throws a pamper party for parents of back to school children

Photo by Charmain Brackett Michelle Kennedy ( left) has her nails filed by Lauren Smith of the Fort Gordon Federal Credit Union during Balfour Beatty's Back to School Parent's Pampering event. Michelle Kennedy started with a manicure.

"My four year-old twins are now enrolled in pre-k. We've been stationed here for a year and a half. This is my first full week of break without the husband and children," said Kennedy, who along with her friend, Raven Kinison, arrived at the Balfour Beatty Communities parents back to school retreat event on Aug. 13.

Kinison said the duo arrived early in hopes of experiencing as much pampering as possible.

Manicures, massages, facials and haircuts were part of the activities.

"Going to the spa and getting all of the treatments is expensive," said Kelly Barchanowicz, LifeWorks coordinator at Balfour Beatty.

Representatives from Mary Kay Cosmetics, BeautiControl, the Augusta School of Massage, Kenneth Shuler School of Beauty, the Fort Gordon Credit Union and Tastefully Simple brought products and or supplied services for the event.

"We wanted to give back to the Fort Gordon community and help any way we can," said Lauren Smith, marketing director for the Fort Gordon Federal Credit Union, who painted and filed fingernails.

Angela Saldana with Tastefully Simple brought along ideas for making meal time quick and simple.

A military spouse, Saldana is a mom, student and employed, and she said Tastefully Simple has made her life easier.

She brought with her an array of foods and spices.

Barchanowicz said she was pleased with the turnout from area businesses and military spouses.

She said she appreciated the businesses' willingness to provide their support.

The next Balfour Beatty event is Aug. 23 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Bring a banana split for National Banana Split Day.