Massage & Bodywork

March/April 2013

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massage Without borders MWB President William Fee is dwarfed by this 10-foot shipment of massage tables that includes donations from Massage Warehouse, Master Massage Tables, and One Concept. Compass Spa and Wellness in Ocean City, New Jersey, was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The spa received $3,000 in aid from MWB's Adopt an MT program, as well as massage tables and supplies, to help rebuild and reopen. Here, Director Lucy Sannino receives a donation check from MWB President William Fee. One of those stories was Lisa Mayer's, who was forced out of her house for three weeks and lost nearly all of her personal possessions, including her massage table. Mayer's fi rst concern, though, was for her clients. "This is the mentality of our profession," Coppola says. Angel Cardone Allaire reached out to Coppola, her former massage teacher, to see if anything could be done to help her friend Mayer. Coppola initially asked for one donated massage table— she received 20, and MWB was born. "People have lost everything and are hurting," Coppola says, "but they are more concerned about helping others. It's so beautiful, and it keeps me going. Everyone who receives something is paying it forward." William Fee, president of MWB, concurs. "This has been the most gratifying part of all, watching the massage community rally together. We are seeing donations from individual therapists, former therapists, small companies, and the largest names and companies in massage [Biofreeze, Custom Craftworks, Earthlite, Oakworks, 3B Scientific, and more]. It's amazing when you think it all started with just one phone call. "It has been an incredible experience to watch this grow, and it has been the people who have stood out the most. I remember the faces of the therapists we have helped—the looks of joy, gratitude, and relief they shared when we were able to help even in a small way. That will stay with me a long time, because they knew their colleagues cared, they were not alone, and they were able to get to a better place even for a short time." fUTUrE gOALS MWB will be continuing to raise money and accept donations to help Sandy survivors. A national fundraising event is scheduled for May 20–25, and T-shirts are available at www.massagewithoutborders.org, with all proceeds going to the charity. Coppola says MWB is interested in expanding its mission beyond Hurricane Sandy assistance to be able to more broadly serve MTs in need. Jed heneberry is assistant editor at abmP. contact him at jed@abmp.com. Compass Spa and Wellness before and after their rebuilding effort. Owner Monique DeLozier Bottalico's first comment after receiving the donation was that she could now get back to work and start raising funds for others affected by the storm. How you Can Help > Visit www.massagewithoutborders.org and www.facebook.com/HelpMts to learn more and stay updated on the latest fundraising efforts. > Connect with a regional MWB volunteer coordinator by emailing massagewithoutborders@gmail.com. > Visit www.massagewithoutborders.org to purchase a "Massage therapists Helping Massage therapists" t-shirt to raise funds and spread awareness. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 85

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