From first pitch to makeover: Hello Gorgeous makes day at the ballpark a hit

Kathy Borlik
·3 min read
Kim Becker, founder of Hello Gorgeous, surprises Beth Stevens with a makeover at a South Bend Cubs game in September. Stevens received a facial, manicure, pedicure and a new outfit from the nonprofit that gives free makeovers to women with cancer or who are in remission.
Kim Becker, founder of Hello Gorgeous, surprises Beth Stevens with a makeover at a South Bend Cubs game in September. Stevens received a facial, manicure, pedicure and a new outfit from the nonprofit that gives free makeovers to women with cancer or who are in remission.

Beth Stevens attended a baseball game at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium as the season was coming to a close in early September. Just another day at the ballpark. She had no idea what was in store for her.

Beth, who lives in St. Joseph County, learned she was throwing out the first pitch. “I didn’t know what was going on,” she said. “It should have been my son. He plays baseball.”

The first pitch turned into a makeover from Hello Gorgeous for Beth. Hello Gorgeous is a Mishawaka-based nonprofit that caters to women who are fighting cancer. Thousands of women have been pampered in this special way since Hello Gorgeous was founded in 2006.

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Yes, it was a surprise for Beth, a cancer survivor. An angel nominated her for the experience.

Founder Kim Becker said the chance to help one woman is a higher calling.

Beth Stevens is treated royally during a surprise makeover by Hello Gorgeous at a South Bend Cubs game in September. She received a facial, manicure, pedicure and a new outfit from the nonprofit that gives free makeovers to women with cancer or who are in remission.
Beth Stevens is treated royally during a surprise makeover by Hello Gorgeous at a South Bend Cubs game in September. She received a facial, manicure, pedicure and a new outfit from the nonprofit that gives free makeovers to women with cancer or who are in remission.

Beth was introduced, threw out the ball and then told about the spa day. She was then moved to the Hello Gorgeous RV.

“I’m a shy person," Beth said. "I’m more of a person who does things for others. To receive the attention was not easy. But it gave me confidence. It was a general boost.”

Beth received a facial, manicure, pedicure and a new outfit. “They (Hello Gorgeous) people were wonderful.”

Mike and Kim Becker, founders of Hello Gorgeous, published the book “I Promise to Put My Lipstick on When I Get There” as a cosmetic oncology guide in 2014. Mike died in June 2017, and Beth continues to operate the nonprofit Hello Gorgeous.
Mike and Kim Becker, founders of Hello Gorgeous, published the book “I Promise to Put My Lipstick on When I Get There” as a cosmetic oncology guide in 2014. Mike died in June 2017, and Beth continues to operate the nonprofit Hello Gorgeous.

From idea to affiliates in five states

Kim and her husband, Mike, developed the idea and the RV spa. Kim had a beauty salon called Cheveux Professional Hair Design. Mike had a background in retail. She began pampering sessions, taught classes for the American Cancer Society. She had Kim’s Closet that gave outfits to women in chemotherapy or radiation. “I got smiles” from the women, Kim said.

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Yet something was still missing, Kim said. “I told my husband about a mobile day spa, pampering and we would do it all for free.”

Mike wasn’t sure of the idea. Free? Yeah, free. However, the idea had legs. They received grants, the non-profit designation, fundraisers and teamed up with businesses. Kim spoke to groups, anyone who would listen. She worked with other salons to become affiliates to do one pampering session per month.

Currently, Hello Gorgeous has salon affiliates in five states. Kim hopes that number increases.

Mike left his fulltime job to be involved. He said in a 2007 Tribune story that it was important for cancer patients to stay connected to the community. Hello Gorgeous gave women that connection.

They got a small RV and called it Hope. There was another bigger RV and it was named Faith. Unfortunately, Faith burned in April 2017.

The world changed more dramatically for Kim when Mike died in June 2017. “He told me I had to keep going,” Kim said. “He was my gentle giant.”

Beth Stevens poses for a photo after a spa evening in the Hello Gorgeous RV during a South Bend Cubs game. She received a facial, manicure, pedicure and a new outfit from the nonprofit that gives free makeovers to women with cancer or who are in remission.
Beth Stevens poses for a photo after a spa evening in the Hello Gorgeous RV during a South Bend Cubs game. She received a facial, manicure, pedicure and a new outfit from the nonprofit that gives free makeovers to women with cancer or who are in remission.

With the pandemic, the spa sessions could not move forward. Kim said University of Notre Dame business students helped her develop pampering boxes that were sent to cancer patients. “They weren’t getting hugs, but they were getting products and pointers on how to draw in eyebrows and feel better.”

Kim said she has plans to add more affiliates in more states, and around the world. “I love to help as many women as possible."

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Another Kim had a makeover in 2015. Kim Perry said she had breast cancer in 2014 and went through surgery, chemo and radiation. Probably a few friends stepped up to nominate her for a Hello Gorgeous event. “I’m not really one to be the center of attention, not a girly-girl, but this was great. Kim (Becker) has a great heart to help others.”

The South Bend Medical Foundation will give $5 for each blood donation in October to Hello Gorgeous.

Visit hellogorgeous.org for more information about nominations and other gorgeous ideas.

Kathy Borlik
Kathy Borlik

Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Cancer survivor's confidence boosted by Hello Gorgeous makeover