If you have read any of my posts about the Ellisville Farmers Market, you would surely recognize the name René Waterhouse-Sackett.

On more than one occasion, I have written about her contagious smile and indefatigable attitude as market master of the Ellisville Farmers Market. I met her at the beginning of the 2011 season and observed her during sweltering afternoons, gusty downpours and absolutely drop dead gorgeous days. She faced the good and the bad with a smile and a contagious can do attitude. She is wildly enthusiastic about bringing local foods, artisans and crafters to the Ballwin-Ellisville community.

If the market wasn’t enough to keep her busy, she is also the owner of Healing Hands Wellness Therapies, located at 110 Holloway Rd # A, Ballwin.  At Healing Hands, René provides custom massage and skincare services. She also makes a real effort to give back to her community. In addition to her work with the farmers market, she usually offers her support to a local charity at least twice a year through Healing Hands.

This month, she is collecting new and “like new” jewelry for Dress for Success. René has already collected over $1000 in new Lia Sophia jewelry to be donated to Dress for Success clients. Between now and March 1, she invites you to drop off donations of new and like new jewelry to her clinic on Holloway. She will donate these items to the Dress for Success program.

In conjunction with this event, she is offering graduated discounts on her premier line of Eminence Organic Skincare products. I recently had the opportunity to visit René’s clinic and found the atmosphere to be welcoming and relaxing. Hopefully if you spend a few minutes looking through your jewelry, you will find something appropriate to donate. If not, you can enjoy browsing the Lia Sophia Jewelry catalog and ordering an item designated for Dress for Success. Cash donations are also welcome. While dropping off your donation, take advantage of René’s specials on Eminence Organic Skincare products and schedule some personal down time for a relaxing massage or facial. You won’t regret it!