Roane State Massage Therapy Club members, from left, Mary Lewis, Brooke Lee, and Ciarra Wallace process the requisite paperwork for people seeking massages during the club’s Friday afternoon fundraising program. (Photo by Roane State)
It’s a relaxing way to start a weekend, and the donations to this fundraiser also help Roane State club members obtain the licenses they need to launch their careers.
It’s the Roane State Massage Therapy Club’s program to offer one-hour, full-body massages. The cost is $25. Roane State students, faculty, and staff get a $5 discount.
The 17 students in the club provide the full-body massages from 1 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Fridays in the massage therapy area, located at the west end of the Goff Building on the Oak Ridge Campus.
This year’s edition of the annual fundraiser is being conducted through April 29, except on Good Friday.
“They’re working so these donations can be used to help pay their licensure fees,” said program director Gary Genna.
Several years ago, the college’s Allied Health Sciences Division found that about 30 percent of the massage therapy students who graduated weren’t obtaining their federal and state licenses because they could not afford those fees of $600 to $700.
So a fundraiser was put in place to help with the licensure fee costs.
“It’s nice to be finally putting into practice what we’ve learned in class,” said Lesia Farrar, club president, as she and other massage therapy students waited on a Friday afternoon for their next clients.
“I waited a long time to find the right (massage therapy) program, and I’m glad I finally did,” she said.
Those signing up for the fundraiser receive the healthful benefits associated with massages, Genna said, from stress reduction to better joint range and improved circulation.
To make an appointment, call (865) 481-2039.
This press release was submitted by Owen Driskill.
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