March 19, 2020 (Jacksonville, FL): MASSAGE Magazine has launched a Massage Relief Effort that will bolster donations to the United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.
During the months of April and May, MASSAGE Magazine will donate a percentage of advertising revenue to the United Way’s fund.
This effort is supported by generous donations from the magazine’s advertisers, and will benefit local communities served by the United Way — communities that house both massage therapy professionals and clients.
“The United Way is on the ground helping at the community level during this time of need,” said Nick Doyle, CEO of The Doyle Group and MASSAGE Magazine. “We’re partnering with our advertisers, vendors and corporate partners who have asked how they can help. The Massage Relief Effort is our answer to helping the community of practitioners of massage therapy.
“We chose the United Way because for more than 130 years they have been stepping up for local communities when resources run low,” Doyle said. “This is both a health and economic crisis, and MASSAGE Magazine will do its part to make sure that when we come out of the other end of this, massage practitioners can resume business.”
Ninety-five percent of donations to the U.S.-only COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund go directly to people affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and a hotline has been set up for individuals seeking assistance. A free call to 2-1-1 will connect individuals with a United Way representative who can provide confidential assistance with local resources.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in many massage practices, clinics and spas having to close their doors unexpectedly. The staff of MASSAGE Magazine understands the hardship this is creating for the massage community, and so created this Massage Relief Effort to give back.
MASSAGE Magazine has also created a coronavirus information hub for therapists and clients, containing links to information and articles, guides, webinars, business loan news and more here.
United Way has a presence in 95% of the communities across the U.S., mobilizing to provide vital services for those in need. They provide local emergency food supplies, help people cover rent or utilities after losing wages or jobs, and work with schools to ensure children from low-wage families have enough to eat when schools are closed. Some local United Ways, like those in Seattle and Los Angeles, have already set up local pandemic funds. But for many communities, the U.S. national COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund will be the only such support.
“So far, some 20 statewide 211 operations have been activated, and 211 is working closely with health officials all over the country to provide accurate updates to the public,” said the United Way in a website release. “When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, government, and public health officials are turning to United Way for our experience, network and capacity. Local United Ways are already mobilizing, and 211, our vital 24/7 resource that connects millions of Americans to community resources, is helping authorities push out updated accurate information…Together, we will overcome this pandemic by making sure the most vulnerable among us are protected.”