fbpx

Good News: Freeflow and Fantasy Spas

Spas for a Cause

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and what better way to bring attention to and raise money for a worthy cause than with pink hot tubs? Since 2015, the Watkins Wellness rotomold brands — Freeflow Spas and Fantasy Spas — raise money through Spas for a Cause, donating 3% of the wholesale cost for all pink hot tub sales in September and October to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“National Breast Cancer Foundation provides help and inspiration to those affected by breast cancer,” says Kristin Sedgwick, brand manager for Freeflow and Fantasy Spas, adding the organization offers support services, education and tools for early detection. “As an industry, we believe in the healing power of warm water. It seemed a natural fit to use that hydrotherapy healing power to raise awareness and donations for breast cancer research.”

The corporate Freeflow/Fantasy Spas for a Cause event is held annually at a local brewery in Vista, California. It’s a free, family-friendly event with a kids’ area that includes face painting, balloon animals and games. Watkins corporate and employees, plus members of the local community, come out in support. A silent auction with prizes donated by local businesses, and the sale of Spas for a Cause swag raise money for NBCF, with 100% of the proceeds going to the cause.

“We’ve been blessed to work with breast cancer survivors who share their stories [at the event], which helps put a face to the cause and adds a little extra motivation,” Sedgwick says. At the end of the night the company gives away a free hot tub. “In the past, survivors have won and it’s a feel-good moment that everyone looks forward to.”

- Sponsor -

Sedgwick estimates that more than half of the company’s Freeflow and Fantasy dealers participate in Spas for a Cause in some way. Dealers have the option to sell the pink spas like traditional hot tubs or use them as part of a promotion.

For example, HotSpring Spas and Pools in La Crosse, Wisconsin, conducts a two-month pink hot tub tour by teaming up with a local radio group and stopping by radio remotes at one to two businesses a week. Business patrons can enter a drawing for the free pink hot tub. Ten finalists are drawn at the finale event, who each pick a rubber duck floating in the pink hot tub. The finalist whose duck number matches the number the radio station randomly chose gets the hot tub. The rest of the finalists receive $500 gift certificates and a hot pink lawn chair from HotSpring Spas and Pools.

Watkins provides dealers with a toolkit that includes simple steps to get started with a Spas for a Cause event, including recommendations for choosing the time and location, marketing and setting a goal for the outcome. “People can make it as big or small as they want,” Sedgwick says. “As with most things, the more all-in, the better the results. We love to help promote and spread the details leading up to an event to help encourage other dealers to learn from successful events held elsewhere. Any event that helps raise visibility and money for the cause is one step closer to a cure. We’re happy to help support our dealers and their efforts in any way we can.”