Chiropractor Chris Osterlitz gives his wife Linda a massage Sunday during a massage therapy benefit to raise money for children of the victims involved in the tragedies.
Massage therapists in Eugene gave their time Sunday as clients gave donations in an effort to fund scholarships for children of the victims of the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.
Sixteen full- and part-time staffers gave seated-chair massages on a walk-in basis as a benefit for the Mercy Corps Scholarship Fund. The fund was created for the children of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11. By 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, 11 people had shown up to be treated and give a suggested donation of $10 in return.
“People have more than doubled the suggested donation (for a 15-minute massage),” event coordinator Linda Osterlitz said. “We’re going to take the proceeds and write a check to Mercy Corps.”
The scholarships will be put to use in any way possible, “even for high school education,” Osterlitz said. Her husband, Chris Osterlitz, is a partner at the Chiropractic Healing Center, and they worked together with others in the group to promote the effort.
The center is not normally open on weekends, so the whole office area was available for seated massages. There were five chairs set up, including one in the courtyard that the center shares with Bijou Art Cinemas.
Therapists spent between 15 and 20 minutes on each client’s massage. “It’s two-way giving. These therapists are giving their time, then turning around and giving to this fund,” Linda Osterlitz said.
Some clients came just to donate. “We had decided to give a donation, but we were already here, so we got a massage,” Liza Kagan said. She and her husband, Caloway, were in Eugene for the weekend visiting relatives and decided to participate in the event. “I’m pregnant, and I think I was given extra attention.”
“This is a good way of combining healing and giving,” Caloway Kagan added.
“We’re all affected in various ways — the best way to help is to pool resources in our community,” Linda Osterlitz said. People interested in making a donation can contact Linda or Chris Osterlitz at 345-2084 or they may book an appointment for another benefit session on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Brook Reinhard is a freelance reporter for the Oregon Daily Emerald.