Massage Therapist Combines Innovative Fundraising Initiative With Relaxing In-Home Massages

CHICAGO, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Semi-retired massage therapist Heide Metzger has combined her passion for massage and her love of people to create Massages For Charity International (MFCI) (http://www.MassagesForCharity.com).  

She connects massage therapists with people who want to host in-home massage parties to benefit a particular cause. With a minimum of eight paying guests per party, the party host receives their half-hour massage for free. Each person pays $50 for a half-hour massage with 50% of the money going to the charity - raising a minimum of $200 for their organization of choice.

Metzger explains that guests actually write two checks - one made out to the therapist and one to the charity. That way, she said, it keeps everyone honest.

After single-handedly raising upwards of $20,000 for individuals in need and charitable organizations (including breast cancer, American Red Cross, the National Kidney Foundation, multiple sclerosis, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PXE International, and M.U.M.S.), Heide realized what a profound impact therapists working together could have globally.

In light of her efforts on behalf of charitable causes, Metzger was named Woman of the Week by Chicago's LITE FM 93.9. In an interview with the radio station, Metzger spoke of her early days as a therapist and of her desire to "massage the world."

MFCI was mentioned in the January 2011 issue of Redbook magazine and also featured in the October 2010 issue of Massage Magazine. "Since those articles, we have been happily scrambling to find therapists nationwide," Metzger said. "We currently have several around the country, including Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Ohio, Colorado, Mississippi, New Hampshire and Iowa."

So how does a massage therapist become involved with Massages For Charity International? Therapists can sign up on the site to be a member for a nominal $24.95 monthly subscription fee. This enables them to receive leads of people in their geographical area who want to host in-home massage parties. In addition, MFCI will provide ongoing marketing support.

While Metzger notes that hosts can donate to any charity of their choosing, she and other therapists will be hosting two special massage party fundraising events in River Forest, Illinois. A May 22nd event will benefit the Wounded Warriors Project Soldier Ride, and on June 3rd Massage For Charity will raise funds for Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership. The media are encouraged to attend these very special events to see Massages For Charity International in action.

For more information, visit http://www.MassagesForCharity.com  

About Heide Metzger

Heide Metzger has been a massage therapist for over 22 years. She studied at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy (now Cortiva) in Illinois and at the Center for Self-Healing in California. She is a graduate of Joseph Business School, certified guerilla marketing coach and co-founded Massages For Charity International in 2010.

Contact:

Heide Metzger, Co-founder
Massages For Charity International
708-574-0849
[email protected]

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Massages For Charity International