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Approximately 130 Brandeis community members received manicures Thursday as part of the Manicure for a Cure–an event organized by the Brandeis Orthodox Organization which offers students $12 manicures by students from Paul Mitchell the School in Cranston, RI, with all proceeds going to Sharsheret, a non-for-profit organization that, according to their website, offers support for young Jewish women and their families who are dealing with breast cancer.

Sherman Function Hall was decked-out in pink table cloths and clip-on nail drying fans for the occasion, which was so popular that 103 slots out of the 130 available were booked by the start of the event, Manicure for a Cure chairperson Raquel Greenberg ’10 said.

Students were able to reserve a slot online, in advance or just walk in.

Greenberg chose to work with Sharsheret for last year’s event, due to one of her family friends being a founder of the organization. The event was so successful last year, raising $2,600, that Sharsheret asked Greenberg to intern with them over the summer. She received one of Hiatt’s World of Work Scholarships, and spent the summer developing college fundraising programming for the organization.

Greenberg hopes to make about $1,500 off this year’s event, as there were less spots available this time around due to fewer available manicurists.

“One of the major events we told colleges about was manicure for a cure,” she said.

Manicure for a Cure has taken place on campuses for sometime now, Greenberg said, adding that similar events have been held at Princeton and University of Pennsylvania. Sharsheret is also the charity of choice for the sorority Alpha Epsilon Phi.

Nail polishes for the event were donated by local businesses, and the nail polish company OPI donated 100 bottles of the breast cancer awareness color “pink of hearts.” Sharsheret donated post-its, pens, nail files, and other trinkets which displayed their logo. The donations were then turned into gift bags, which were available for purchase.

The manicurists also donated their time and they participated in the event as a way to meet the hour requirements needed to get a cosmetology license.

Olivia Izzi, the Design Team leader of the Paul Mitchell the School said this was the second time the school had participated in Brandeis’ Manicure for a Cure.

“We had such an amazing time last year that we are super excited to be invited back,” Izzi said.

The manicurists are able to receive hours toward their licenses and the event planners don’t have to worry about finding manicurists, “It goes both ways; it works well,” Greenberg said.

Izzi explained that Paul Mitchell has a “be nice or else” culture that emphasizes giving back to the community. “When I presented it to the design team, there was no hesitation, they were quick to sign up,” Izzi said.