Montreal, July 11, 2018 – Avon Independent Sales Representative Elaine Tarrant was named as the winner of the Community Spirit Award presented by the Direct Sellers Association (DSA) of Canada. Tarrant received her award in person at the Awards Gala held in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador on June 26. The Community Spirit Award is granted to an Independent Sales Contractor whose charitable efforts have made a profound difference in the lives of others.

Living and working in St John’s, Newfoundland, Tarrant leads a team of women whom she coaches, mentors and supports as they work to achieve their own dreams with Avon. Several years ago, Tarrant began fundraising for the Grace Sparkes House women’s shelter in her hometown. Over the years, her involvement grew exponentially and between 2011 and 2016 alone, she and her team raised over $12,000.

With the funds raised by Tarrant and her team, the Grace Sparkes House Educational Scholarship was launched. Through the scholarship, grants are awarded to women who have come to the shelter in need of help escaping an abusive relationship, are now living independently and wish to return to school. The funding is specifically aimed at helping to defray the potentially daunting transportation and childcare costs associated with returning to school as a single parent. One of the first of its kind in Canada, the Grace Sparkes House Educational Scholarship is fully funded by Tarrant and her Avon team.

With every order she places with Avon, Tarrant also personally purchases extra essentials such as soap, body wash, lotion and deodorant to help support the shelter. These products are donated to each woman as she embarks upon an independent life free from the threat of violence, as part of a “Baskets of Hope” program.

Tarrant believes that her efforts embody the spirit of Avon, that of women helping women. Says Tarrant, “The ladies who participate have big hearts and realize that you never know what’s going on in someone else’s house, and if we can help our sisters in some small way, then we have a moral obligation to do what can.”