Kitty Banks walks Myrtle Avenue to welcome the community in her mission to send loving messages to Hurricane Sandy victims

Celebrity stylist and Make-up Artist Kitty Banks hit the streets of Old Town Monrovia on Myrtle Avenue on Saturday, November 10, 2012. Dressed in a beautiful wedding gown, heads turned and necks turned into rubber before being greeted by a warm smile and a request to write on her white dress with a red Sharpie marker.
Kitty Banks got married in 2003. Since then, she has had her wedding dress stored in a box until very recently. Currently going through a peaceful divorce, she wanted to do something positive with it, and was inspired to put it to better use when Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast. It broke her heart to know that there were people out there who lost nearly everything. While watching the aftermath of the hurricane on CNN, Kitty saw a lady searching through the rubble and finding a photo of a loved one in a beautiful wedding dress. Much of everything else was destroyed by the storm. Kitty realized that could happen to anyone, including herself. It was then that she wanted to put her energy towards a good cause. She immediately decided to start a foundation, now given the name of the Keepsakes Foundation. Her first mission was to collect messages for hurricane victims by walking around her hometown in Monrovia and asking people to write them on her dress. Embraced by the community, she received a positive response from local residents, businesses, the Police Department and Fire Department, and even some canine friends. Kitty stated “The most touching moment was when I asked a couple to sign it and the woman said her family members there were not doing so good and a tear came down her face. I told her that God is with them and she had to stay strong, and that I would do whatever I can to put a smile on faces over there.” The dress still has room on it to be signed, and Kitty Banks will be approaching others in the very near future.
Kitty Banks also welcomes the community to join her on the Keepsakes Foundation Facebook page, and view pictures of the morning of November 10th , and invites the public to add a tag if they spot themselves. KeepsakesFoundation.com will launch before the end of 2012.
Key sponsors of Keepsakes Foundation are Cindy De Mesa Photography and Public Relations Director Miriam Gil. The foundation’s very first donors were Old Town Monrovia’s very own Yelena’s Bridal shop, and one of Kitty’s cosmetology student Mercedes Jeronimo. In the process of 501c3 non-profit corporation approval, the organization has a long list of future humanitarian efforts. Monetary and clothing donations, especially special occasion dresses, shoes and accessories are currently being sent to PO Box 1855, Monrovia, CA 91017, or can also be scheduled for pick up. For more information, please call Kitty Banks at (310) 428-0513 or Miriam Gil at (626) 348-1289 or send an e-mail to keepsakesusa@yahoo.com

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