Hello! My name is Heide Metzger and I would like to share with you my personal journey to what has now become Massages For Charity International.br br A sermon I once heard said that their version of Hebrews 6:12 says that "We should be diligent to go all the way through, that we might receive the reward of our faith." When I first became a massage therapist so many years ago, I was (and still am) so in love with the benefits of massage therapy that I wanted to massage the whole world!! Now, with therapists everywhere showing interest and becoming In-Home Massage Fundraising Specialists, the world can benefit by receiving "the reward of our faith."br br Being able to help as many people as possible through massage, teaching, motivational speaking, business marketing coach, and volunteer work has always been important to me. At one point I had 3 offices, and then closed 2 to accept a teaching position at a massage therapy school; and taught workshops and classes throughout my area. Even having 30 clients a week, I still wanted and prayed for more hours in a week do more massages and "touch" more lives. The joy of sharing my knowledge and love for massage therapy is my passion!br br I have always believed that as massage therapists we have a responsibility to teach our clients and anyone we can about the fascinating human body that so many of us take for granted. (It is easier to teach clients since they are a captive audience lying face down on a table)br br There is so much learning from every experience, if we are willing to be open to the lessons. Having worked in different chiropractic offices and massage clinics, I had the opportunity to only have to show up and love people. Then being in practice for myself, I learned the need to market. I have loved and learned from both.br br Learning throughout my career from clients as well has laid the foundation for Massages For Charity without either of us knowing it at the time. At one point I had 2 clients who are sisters that came 2-3 times a year with their 3 friends. They would make a day of it at the office -- bringing their own cheese, fruit and croissants and ingredients to mix up mimosas for a Sunday brunch. One by one they would get a massage while the rest sat in the waiting room laughing and chatting and just enjoying each other's company. The actual basics of a Massage For Charity party.br br Another client had a brother with a spinal cord injury from a hockey accident as a teenager, who needed to raise money for a surgery. We donated a percentage of every massage for a month to him.