June 4, 2018 | Alberta

EDMONTON, AB – June 5, 2018 – CDI College’s 6th annual Massage-a-Thon event was a bright, light-hearted, and above all else, successful day, raising more than $13,000 for the Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS).

“It’s a great way to give back to our community,” said Renata Maione, Campus Director at CDI College’s Edmonton North campus. “The community helps us out a lot, and I’m so proud of the students and staff for all their hard work in making Massage-a-Thon so successful.”

The money raised will help SCARS continue their mission of reducing the number of homeless animals in Northern Alberta. Since 2002, the organization has rehomed more than 9,500 animals, and finds loving homes for more than 1,000 homeless pets each year.

“We don’t get government funding to do this,” said Alison Foxford of SCARS. “All our financial assistance comes from donations.”

“Without places like CDI College taking us on as a cause, we wouldn’t be able to help more than 1,000 animals each year.”

Since 2013, CDI College’s Massage Therapy students have participated in this daylong event at our Edmonton North campus, giving massages for a minimum donation of $10. All proceeds go to a charitable organization chosen by the students.

This year’s event also featured a visit from some SCARS dogs, a silent auction, bake sale, barbecue, and dunk tank, whose victims included Edmonton-Decore MLA Chris Nielsen, Robbie “The Intern” from KiSS 91.7 FM, James White from 95.7 CRUZ FM, and wrestler Sean “Massive Damage” Dunster.

Since its inception, Massage-a-Thon has raised more than $47,000 for Edmonton-area charities, including the Edmonton Firefighters’ Burn Treatment Society, the Edmonton Food Bank, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Kids Kottage Foundation, and A Safe Place Women’s Shelter.

With more than $13,000 raised this year, CDI College managed to eclipse the total from 2017 and everyone looks forward to bringing in even more in 2019.

Learn more about the massage therapy program at CDI College by visiting cdicollege.ca or calling 1.800.675.4392.