Massage therapists raise funds for Backus
Massage therapists at Local Relief will donate $5 from every massage or spa service to Backus Community Center through July.
Donations are usually collected as part of the upcoming national EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week July 15 - 21. Instead, local volunteer massage therapists Hollie Bahr, Sarah Nevalainen and Linda Ferguson will be donating money from massages throughout the months of June and July.
“Donations are an easy way to show your love for the AB/Backus building or for any of the new programs the Backus Community Center offers to the public,” stated a Local Relief media release.
Part of the purpose of the effort is to educate the public on the health benefits of massage therapy, such as in treating back pain, arthritis pain, and strengthening the immune system, according to information from Local Relief. The group also says massages can strengthen the immune system and reduce symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week event is sponsored by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, a national massage membership association.
For more information on Local Relief or the Backus Community Center, or to schedule a service for donation,visit www. localrelief.massagetherapy .com or call 763-229-5033.
Bremer launches hunger campaign
Bremer Bank has teamed up with Minneapolis-based music and dance ensemble Rhythmic Circus to produce a music video to raise funds to help end hunger.
Bremer will donate $1, up to $15,000, for every view of the video to Second Harvest Heartland and local Feeding America food banks. The video, “Step Up!” can be found at www.youtube .com/bremerbanks.
The video is a feature of Bremer Bank’s seventh annual Taking Action to End Hunger campaign.
In addition to the video fund raiser, Bremer will match donations dollar-for-dollar from the public through the month of June. Bremer will match up to $50,000.
Donations are accepted at Bremer Bank in International Falls or any other branches.
Donations can also be made online at www.bremer.com.
The food banks receiving donations serve Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota.
Border State Bank wins challenge
Border State Bank employees in International Falls and other locations won first-place in the six-week MEDICA health challenge.
The win in their division, competing with 13 other businesses, required participants to “shape up their lifestyle and the workplace.”
The challenge was designed to increase employee awareness about health. Employees earned points for adopting healthy habits such as getting enough sleep, exercising and eating well.
Various activities at the bank were planned throughout the six weeks.
This included inviting nutritional speakers; offering on-site massages; serving fresh fruit and healthy breakfast options; having healthy potlucks; and putting out a health newsletter with healthy recipes, training tips and information on office exercises.
“This challenge was successful due to the planning and preparation of fun activities and events at each Border State Bank location,” said Debbi Benke, co-chair of the bank’s wellness team. “Each site had a challenge leader and the participants really embraced making the necessary lifestyle change.”
