THE COMFORT PROJECT

On Sunday, July 21, a group of 18 Oregon and Washington licensed massage therapists will offer a day of free 15-minute chair massages for the public at two adjacent locations in northwest Portland, it has been announced by Valerie Brooke, the event’s coordinator.

“The Comfort Project” is the second such event organized by the group and grew out of members’ desire to make a contribution to the local community and beyond after the events of Sept. 11, 200l. A day of chair massage in northeast Portland in January raised $1000 for Mercy Corps, the Portland-based international relief and economic development agency. Donations by participants in the July 21 event will also benefit Mercy Corps.

“The Comfort Project” will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. outdoors at Muscles in Motion Massage, 604 NW 23rd Ave., and around the corner at Longevity Wellness Center and Supply, 2281 NW Hoyt. St. Massage for relaxation as well as hand and foot massage and shiatsu will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Participants need not remove clothing for their massages.

The original idea for the project came from Martha Wagner, a Portland woman who thought that a day of massage would provide stress reduction for the public and a way for both massage therapists and the public to make a contribution in the aftermath of 9/11. “The Comfort Project” will be one of five community projects around the country featured in the 9/11 anniversary issue of “Woman’s Day Magazine,” due out in August.

Mercy Corps’ programs currently touch more than five million lives in over 30 countries. The organization was named one of America’s 100 Best Charities by Worth magazine in 2001. Information about its programs can be found at www.mercycorps.org.

Event organizers hope that people will come with friends and family and enjoy nearby shops and cafes before and after their massages. Public transportation is available to NW 23rd Ave via the Portland Streetcar, the Max train that stops at PGE Park, and Tri-Met bus routes 15 and 17.