Experiences

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Nationwide

• Does Massage Have a Benefit to Athletes?
  Sports massage is growing in popularity. Discover the benefits of massage during the pre-event, post-event, recovery and injury stages.
• National Massage Therapy Awareness Week
  Chapters celebrate NMTAW® and serve their communities through outreach activities.
  October 1925, 2008—Nationwide
• Sacred Walk, Healing Hands
  AMTA members volunteered across the nation for a walkathon to raise awareness of Native American rights.
  February–July, 2008—Nationwide

California

• U.S. Open Championship
  Nancy Barravecchio (NY) credits volunteering  with kick-starting her sports massage practice.
  June 12–15, 2008—San Diego, CA
• National Volunteer Appreciation Week
  Terri Mongait describes how Volunteering... It’s Actually Something You Receive.
  April 27–May 3,  2008—California Chapter

Colorado

• Amputees Across America Bike Ride
  AMTA-PA member, Moriah Grace Gilmore, worked on the amputee riders and was encouraged to "Never Give Up"!
  July 13, 2009 – Colorado Springs, CO

Florida

• Aveda Earth Month Walk for Water
  AMTA members massaged Spa owners and executives under the Tree of Wellness.
  April 27, 2008—Orlando, FL

Illinois

• Special Olympics Spring Games
  Volunteers helped in the “Olympic Town” for about 3500 athletes and coaches at each event.
  May 3 and 7, 2009—Evanston, IL; Mt Prospect, IL; & South Shore Chicago, IL
• Helping Those Who Help Others
  Crystal Steven-Wright organizes events for war veterans and the American Lung Association.
  2009—Chicago, IL
• Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and American Heart Association Start! Walks
  Cyndy Wollenweber, AMTA-IL member recounts her rewarding experiences as a volunteer.
  2008—Chicago/Aurora, IL
• American Heart Association Start! Walk
  AMTA volunteers introduced massage to heart attack and stroke survivors at Grant Park.
  September 26, 2008—Chicago, IL

Indiana

• State Capitol Legislative Session
  The IN chapter volunteered to provide 521 chair massages at the state capitol.
  February 3–8, 2008—Indianapolis, IN

Kentucky

• Ironman Louisville (KY) Triathlon
  Volunteers from the KY, OK and KS chapters teamed up to massage triathletes on race day.
  August 31, 2008—Louisville, KY

Maine

• STRIVE Dance-a-thon
  The ME chapter volunteered at the overnight event for mentally handicapped young adults.
  March 1–2, 2008—Portland, ME

Maryland

• American Cancer Society’s Baltimore Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
  AMTA-MD members, Sharon Dulaney and Jessie Bernstein, provided that extra compassion and comfort needed to the Survivors at the Survivor tent.
  October 25, 2009—Baltimore, MD
• National Institutes of Health – Holistic Health Fair 2009
  As part of Maryland’s Massage Therapy Awareness Week, volunteers worked from 8:30 am to 3 pm massaging approximately 92 NIH employees.
  October 18, 2009—Rockville, MD
• Face of America Bike Ride
  Natalia Eyestone, AMTA-MD donated her time and compassionate hands to 350 veterans riding 110 miles.
  April 25, 2009—Frederick, MD
• Face of America Bike Ride
  Martin Chamberlain, AMTA-MD massaged veteran bike riders who were injured in Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
  April 25, 2009—Frederick, MD

Massachusetts

• Best Buddies International
  AMTA-MA volunteers provided 460 post-event sports massage for participants in the bike ride/run/walks.
  May 30, 2009—Hyannisport, MA (Cape Cod)

Michigan

• NMTAW event held at The Parade Company's Studio in Detroit, MI
  AMTA-MI members promoted their Chapter and the benefits of massage in celebration of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week.
  October 29, 2009 – Detroit, MI
• Michigan Association of Chiropractors Fall Convention
  The AMTA-MI Chapter had a great opportunity to spread the word about Licensure to Massage Therapists and Chiropractors.
  October 2–4, 2009—Kalamazoo, MI
• Selfridge Air National Guard Air Show
  AMTA-MI members provided massage therapy for the performers, volunteers and base personnel involved with the organization of the Air Show.
  August 22–23, 2009—MT Clemens, MI
• EMS Expo
  AMTA-MI Massage Response Team (MERT) provided seated massage to EMS participants.
  April 16–18, 2009—Grand Rapids, MI

Mississippi

• Bikes, Blues and Bayous Race
  MS Chapter volunteers worked on 200+ riders in the Delta Heat.
  August 2, 2008—Greenwood, MS

Missouri

• Operation Hands On
  Volunteers honored thanked military personnel through massage.
  December 21, 2007—Cape Girardeau, MO
• Girl’s Night Out
  Kirk and Julie Nelson teamed up with the Kansas City Royals for the American Heart Association. 
  July 26, 2007—Kansas City, MO

Nebraska

• Lincoln National Guard Marathon
  The NE Chapter had the best turnout ever! 65 volunteers worked on 530 runners!!
  May 3, 2009—Lincoln, NE
• Guinness World Record Attempt
  NE and IA chapters teamed up to set the most massage therapists giving chair massages all in one place and at one time record.
  October 26, 2008—Omaha, NE

New Jersey

• Top 10 Reasons I Decided To Volunteer Massage Services
  ~ Sherri A. Nicholas, AMTA-NJ member
• Relay for Life
  AMTA-NJ and Hand in Hand Massage Network donated Swedish/Chair massage to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
  May 31, 2009—Toms River, NJ
• Massage Awareness Event at Cortiva Institute
  Lori Keith recounts the enthusiasm of 10 therapists giving 48 one hour massages.
  October 26, 2008—Wall, NJ
• Relay for Life
  Hand in Hand Massage Network donated Swedish/Chair massage to raise $4,591.00!
  May 31, 2008—Toms River, NJ
• Massage for the Cure
  NJ Hand in Hand Massage Network organized a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
  March 15, 2008—Wall Township, NJ

New York

• AMTA-NY Chapter Engages Members Through Community Outreach 
  The AMTA-NY Chapter Community Service Massage Team (CSMT) was born from a desire to create a deeper relationship between the AMTA-NY Chapter and the members. AMTA-NY was looking for a way to engage members, promote massage therapy, and give back to our communities. The Community Service Massage Team offers our members a venue where they can network with each other, meet the people in their local communities and lend a hand to those in need.

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
  Together, more than 45 OK and KS Chapter volunteers provided 700+ post-event sports massage sessions fo runners.
  April, 26 2009—Oklahoma City, OK
• Fall Classic Duathlon
  Runners and bike enthusiasts were given massages pre and post race.
  October 17, 2008—Oklahoma City, OK
• Race For The Cure
  Rocky Chen and Chuck Lauder coordinated 20 therapist volunteers to give over 170 massages.
  October 4, 2008—Oklahoma City, OK
• The Longest Walk2
  Lynne Kincaid volunteered to work on sore muscles/feet and aliments through massage.
  May 7, 2008—Tulsa, OK
• Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians
  Chapter volunteers represented massage therapy to attendees including representatives of major drug companies, hospitals and medical service organizations.
  2008—Tulsa, OK

Pennsylvania

• Hershey's Tour de Pink
  AMTA members from PA, NJ and NY helped along the route of a 220 mile charity bike tour (between Hershey, PA through NJ and ending in NYC) to assist the Young Survival Coalition, the premier organization providing support and advocacy for young women with breast cancer.
  October 2–4, 2009—PA, NJ and NY

Tennessee

• Relief for Tornado Victims
  Chapter volunteers provided chair massage to the victims of a tornado and relief workers.
  April 30, 2009—Murfreesboro, TN
• A Healthy Touch of Education for HIV/AIDS
  The TN chapter raised awareness on HIV/AIDS while educating the public on massage.
  October 22, 2008—Knoxville, TN
• Vols Provide Union Massages
  Debbie Vann organized volunteers to give nearly 300 massages to students, faculty and staff.
  May 5, 2008—Jackson, TN
• Union University
  21 massage therapists volunteered to help tornado victims.
  May 5, 2008—Jackson, TN
• Spa Day for Wives of Deployed Soldiers
  The TN chapter, led by Maj-Lis Nash, brought relief and relaxation to soldiers' families.
  February, 2005—Nashville, TN

Virginia

• Marine Corps Marathon and Guinness Record Breaking Attempt for Massage
  AMTA-MD member, Martin Chamberlain, participated in the event that unofficially broke the record for "the most people being massaged."
  October 25, 2009—Arlington, VA
• The Women's Initiative
  JoAnn Christy encourages Therapists to find community outreach programs in their area.
  2009—Charlottesville, VA
• Rural AMerica Health Care Services
  Paula Ruffin massaged weary healthcare volunteers at KY/VA fairgrounds.
  July 25–27, 2008—Wise, VA

Washington

• Bodywork for the Homeless
  Massage Therapy Foundation funds Alternative Healthcare Access Campaign with grant.
  2008—Seattle, WA