Englewood's 'Army of Moms' treated to spa day

DEERFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- A suburban spa treated Englewood's "Army of Moms" to a day of pampering right before Mother's Day.

Miles away from the neighborhood violence they work to stop, the women of MASK (Mothers Against Senseless Killings) found respite at the Renu Day Spa in Deerfield after the salon's owner saw their efforts reported on the news.

"I'm totally impressed by them and i told them that i want to stand by them," said Anna Pamula, Renu Day Spa.

Each of the 20 women were treated to a day of pampering including, a pedicure, a facial, and a massage.

"Yes being pampered. I love it. I love it," said Lisa Ruff, a MASK volunteer.

"It was fabulous. I could have gone to sleep. It was fabulous," said Phyllis Hawthorne, another MASK volunteer.

The well-deserved break for these violence interrupters comes right before Mother's Day.

"This is just the nicest thing ever," said Miyosha Bailey.

Founder Tamar Manasseh first mobilized the group after a shooting on Chicago's South Side, gambling that even the most determined on vengeance wouldn't shoot mothers camped out on street corners.

"I'm really hopeful that the more mothers we put in, we're adding more blocks this summer, that we can cut down on some of the violence, that we can cut down some of those numbers that we saw spiking over the winter," Manasseh said.

Nortasha Stingley knows about the violence firsthand. She still struggles with the loss of her 19-year-old daughter, Marissa Boyd-Stingley, in June 2013.

"My daughter used to try to get me to do stuff like this, but I never would. It made me feel good," Stingley said.

Renewed in body and spirit, these women are ready to keep making a difference.