American Massage Therapy Association – Michigan Chapter

The Michigan Chapter of the AMTA were asked to participate in the Susan G Komen Walk for the Cure on August 14. We provided chair massage to the walkers, and a few volunteers, as part of the Energizer tent.
8 massage therapists and one support person attended the event, on a sultry near-90 degree day with high humidity. Our pink AMTA/Energizer shirts were soaked through in no time at all. In 9 hours that we were there, we provided 144 walkers and many site-workers with welcome relief on the second day of their walk. All of the therapists were upbeat in spite of the wilting heat. We stayed hydrated with the help of our ‘runner’, Mike Mueller, who works with therapist Irene Ivanac. Our other volunteers were Lisa Crawford, Julie Finn, Cindy Harder, Kathleen Larrabee, James Nichols, Ellen Potocki, and Lee Shaw. I filled in for the therapists as they slipped out for their much needed breaks. A late-day passing sprinkle generated a rainbow, which was much photographed and taken as a good sign by all.
Please be sure to thank these folks if you happen to know them, or see them at a function. It is volunteers like these that make our organization stand head and shoulders above the rest. AMTA is an organization started by volunteers, run with volunteer input, and fueled by volunteer sweat and brains.
After participating in this event, we can refer to it as the AMTA-MI one-day weight loss program, I believe each of us sweated away at least that much. Looking to lose weight in one day? Respond to our next call for volunteers, you may not drop pounds, but you will end the day richer for the experience!