Many organizations seek volunteer massage therapists—and although pay doesn’t come in the form of money, rewards do come in the form of new connections, experiences and education.
Across the U.S., more than 60 million people volunteer each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Volunteerism can bring greater attention to the benefits of massage therapy—at sporting events, in medical settings, at community gatherings and more—and underserved populations gain pain relief and nurturance from helping hands.
Contributing to life, growing as a professional and helping others are often popular New Years resolutions. This MASSAGE Magazine guide to volunteering in 2018 will help you find a volunteer niche—from keeping athletes in the game to supporting needy children or helping in hospice and much more.
Massage Volunteers Are Needed Here
AIDS/Lifecycle Ride
Massage volunteers work on participants of this a seven-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
American Heart Association Heart Walks
Each year, millions of people participate in Heart Walks throughout the U.S., with funds raised to support the research, education and advocacy efforts of the American Heart Association. Volunteer massage therapists are needed at Heart Walks.
Boston Marathon
Massage volunteers are needed to provide massage therapy both pre- and post-race to participants.
Hands for Heroes
This organization consists of health care professionals who donate their time and skills to provide therapeutic bodywork to our nation’s veterans, with an ultimate goal of providing 1 million bodywork sessions.
The Heart Touch Project
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the training and delivery of compassionate, healing touch to homebound or hospitalized people.
Hospice
Connect with local hospice organizations to help people transition through a dignified death.
Integrative Touch for Kids
This organization works to enhance well-being, minimize suffering and facilitate healing for children with developmental disabilities, genetic conditions, cancers and other chronic, acute and life-limiting illness.
IRONMAN
More than 100 IRONMAN qualifying triathlons—a 2.4-mile swim race, 112-mile bike race and 26.2-mile marathon—take place in North America each year, in addition to the World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Massage volunteers keep them in the water and on the road.
Liddle Kidz Foundation
This organization coordinates trips to bring massage therapists to orphaned children in countries such as the U.S., Thailand, East Africa, Romania, Vietnam, Ghana and more.
Los Angeles Marathon
A post-event massage tent is located at this race’s finish line.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
From baseball to field hockey, skiing to wrestling and 17 other sports, NCAA is the playing field for college-level athletes.
New York City Marathon
More than 50,000 runners take part in this race each year, and massage volunteers help them recover post-race.
Olympic Games & Team USA
Massage therapists may apply to volunteer on-site, or work with Team USA at one of its U.S. Olympic Training Centers, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Chula Vista, California, and Lake Placid, New York. Massage therapists must have a minimum of three years of experience.
Paralympic Games
Athletes living with impairment compete in this international event. Massage therapy and medical tents are available in the athletes’ village.
Senior Games
Each state has a Senior Games competition, winners of which go on to Nationals.
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