If you've been wondering how you can help with the disaster back east, here are some ideas.
1. If you currently sell gift certificates you can donate a percentage of the sales to either the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund or another charity of your choice.
Pick a percentage say 5% and select an end date so your clients take action right away.
2. Massage Pro C.E., Gloria Coppola has organized a Fund Raiser for Massage Therapists who are surviving the effects of Sandy as so many have lost their homes, valuables and jobs. Gift cards are greatly needed for survival and starting over. If you can donate anything purchase a gift card here http://www.giftcards.com/ and mail directly to (Massage PRO CE) at PO Box 1477, Marion NC 28752. Gloria will be distributing them personally to those in immediate need. Contact Gloria at massagewithoutborders@gmail.com
3.Organize a Massage Fund Raiser in your local community. I organized a Massage Fund Raiser right after Katrina and another after the earthquake in Japan and we raised over $1,000.00 for the American and Japanese Red Cross.
You will need at least a week to organize so start now. Here’s how to do it:
Find a location. Consider a room big enough for at least 10 massage chairs or tables. I reached out to my business connections and found an office management company willing to donate an empty office space.
Contact other LMT's to help or visit your local massage schools for interns. Speak to the school director and tell them what you are doing and ask if you can post a notice on their bulletin board.
Pick the date, start and end time.
My first Fund Raiser lasted all day and there were times where we weren’t busy so for the second one, I organized it from 10am -2pm
Contact radio stations to announce your event
Post flyers in your community and in the other offices near the location.
Here’s an example of what to put on your flyer:
MASSAGE-ATHON FUNDRAISER FOR HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS.
GOT 15 MINUTES TO DO GOOD & FEEL FABULOUS?
How: Get a 10-20 minute neck & shoulder massage.
Why: Because you want to donate to the Hurricane Sandy victims and you need some stress relief.
Where: Give address and parking info
When: Decide on a block of time.
Cost: Decide on a rate. I did $1.00 per minute. (Checks please)
100% donated to (American Red Cross or other charity)
Contact local newspapers for a press release. You can email a copy of your flyer containing all of the information. I was amazed how many people we got from the newspaper.
Offer 10, 15 or 20 minute chair massages. In my experience most people opted for 20 minutes. Ask for checks to be made payable to American Red Cross or charity of your choice so you can mail the checks directly to your local chapter.
Have each massage recipient sign a waiver.
Here’s an example of a waiver from ABMP:
If you are currently suffering from any ailment which could be affected by today’s massage, please inform your massage therapist before your session. Please read the following statement, then sign and date next to your name to indicate that you have read and understood the statement. The massage therapist is not responsible for the aggravation of conditions which were present, but not disclosed at the time of the massage and which may be affected by the massage.
Auction off a gift certificate for a table massage during the Fund Raiser.
Good luck and remember every bit helps!
