Vicki Iovine and Didiayer Snyder

Didiayer Snyder ("Extreme Home Makeover") and author Vicki Iovine ("Gifriends' Guides") are two very beautiful women who understand the value of expressing kindness. They are both involved with charities, including Botox's My Expressions of Kindness Campaign. Didiayer and Vicki spoke with TheCelebrityCafe.com's Joanna Fantozzi about their expressions of kindness.

TheCelebrityCafe: I see that you are involved with the three charities Make it Right, Dress For Success and Children’s Action Network. Could you tell me a bit more about these charities and why you feel that they are beneficial?

Didiayer Snyder: My expressions of kindness raises money for the charities. Dress for Success dresses women for job interviews. Children’s Action Network puts foster care kids in good places. There are over 20,000 foster care and homeless kids in LA. But this problem is also nationwide, and we help kids all over the country. I chose to be involved with Make It Right, because I am a builder. The organization has built 150 houses in New Orleans. We are trying to raise $250,000 and so far we have $160,000. Allergan gives away that money if you participate in the kindness program and you get to choose what charity you want to send the $25 to. It’s a simple campaign that benefits amazing charities.

Vicki Iovine: Basically what [Dress For Success] started with is women donating work clothes. We all have those suits that we don’t want to wear anymore. [Underprivileged women] rather than looking like the professional people that they want to be, they did not look well-equipped. So besides clothing, they are given tips in grooming, makeup and interview techniques. It became [an organization] of job seeking counselors for women who are disadvantaged. It makes them candidates, and they feel confident about their job. The success of the program is obvious….Vanessa Williams and I are both spokespersons for the program.

TCC: What do you do for these charities, what kind of volunteer work?

DS: For Make It Right I’ve been raising awareness and lending my voice. Just because the hurricane came and went, it doesn’t mean there are still people in need in New Orleans, five years later. I’m lending my voice to this and the other charities.

TCC: Why did you decide to not only receive Botox treatment, but also help with their charity campaign?

DS: I’m a big fan of Botox cosmetics. We are always outdoors on Extreme Home Makeover. One day I saw my reflection when I was squinting into the sun and I saw I had lines, so I decided to give it a go. Allergan is always looking for ways to give back. We created the expressions of kindness campaign. We just want to stand up and say let’s make a difference.

TCC: I see that their charity campaign entails something known as “random acts of kindness”. What are your thoughts on their kindness campaign, and do you think it could help make the world a better place?

DS: All of the things that we do every day should be helping to make the world a better place. I always say never grow weary of giving. Just by going online and filling out a profile you can give back…I am personally committed to being socially aware.

VI: It made me be conscious for a moment, and made me think what people have done for me. I thought about the things people do for me that are kind. It was a moment of gratitude. I really think that we cherish kindness in other people.

TCC: Do you try to work acts of kindness into your everyday life?

DS: Everyday! I am a big believer of what you put out is what you receive. I am the same person you see on camera. I started my own non-profit in Haiti. Every single day I say to myself what can I do to give back? Habitat for Humanity recently kicked off the annual “Women’s Build” we have this. It’s a house built completely by women. This year it’s in Indiana.

VI: I have four children ages 16-22, so everyday I refrain from taking their credit cards away [laughs]. I also like to look in people’s eyes and smile. It makes us all feel less aggressive.

TCC: Why did you personally decide to receive Botox treatment and help with their charity?

VI: I decided to become a Botox patient in 2002. I am 56 years old now, so at 48 I felt like I looked concerned or worried all the time. It was fantastic and easy. I didn’t have any impressions, because there weren’t any deep wrinkles. I’ve done it every few months for the past eight years.

TCC: Didiayer, you have also done some other volunteer work, including working on the show “Extreme Home Makeover.” You and the team actually completed a house out by me, in Setauket. What, for you, is the most rewarding experience of working on that show?

DS: Extreme Home Makeover is an inspiring show. We get to continue to give back. We are able to reach out to communities and inspire people. People think, ‘Wow, these people from Extreme Home Makeover really take time to volunteer for charities.’ People want to give back.

TCC: What is your favorite moment or part of working on the show?

DS: I was doing the framing for a house I Indiana and a guy working on the framing with me shared a story about how his wife passed away from cancer and he was there working for her. It’s really what’s off-camera that is often the best. Also, the joy that the families get and their reaction is amazing.

TCC: Your book “On Your Mark” which gives advice to young models came out fairly recently in 2008. What basic advice/ideas do you give to aspiring models?

DS: I wrote that book because I am a motivational speaker for teens in the entertainment industry. I wrote this book to inspire young kids. You have to understand that it’s a big risk. It’s difficult to take it seriously and commit. It takes a lot of effort to practice your craft everyday.

TCC: Vicki, with your series of books giving advice to “girlfriends” everywhere on motherhood, what do you think is the best one line of advice you can give to mothers?

VI: The best line of advice is just when you feel like the pressures of motherhood will knock you down. Reach out for a girlfriend who will help you, who has been through all of that.

TCC: Your guide to dealing with teenagers is coming out soon. Can you give readers a sneak peak at what topics you cover?

VI: My books aren’t child-rearing books but self-help books, and how you can survive this. In my upcoming book I will cover the obvious terrors of sex drugs and rock n’ roll [laughs]. But also depression, bullying, self-esteem, first love, lying. All of a sudden teenagers will become very private and not want to share things.