The second deployment to New York City of the Carolina Emergency Response Massage Team and the United Aromatherapy Effort occurred December 22, 2001 through January 6, 2002. Up to nineteen team members from Alaska, Florida, UK gave up their holidays to give aromatherapy chair massage to over 1000 firefighters, and police as well as other rescue/relief workers at fire and police stations, including Port Authority LGA and JFK, St. Paul's chapel at Ground Zero, the Staten Island Landfill, counseling centers and to social workers and psychologists thru Safe Horizons agency offices.

For many, it was their first introduction to massage, and they are now all converts to say the least. Surprisingly enough, a lot of the firefighters knew about aromatherapy as well but welcomed more information and products.

The initial aromatic donations were given out to those in immediate need and plans are underway to furnish each station and firefighter with their own personal supplies to begin the respiratory healing they need and deserve. Supplies will also be left in the future at the landfill and ground zero for continued use - we gave them a flannel for their masks with respiratory blend and the diffusors covered up the otherwise horrendous odors.

They were truly grateful for our loving contribution to the trauma, suffering and fatigue in NYC. Our next trip will be in February 10-17, 2002, so please keep the contributions coming to replenish our stock and allow for travel expenses. Thank you so much from our hearts for your continued support of our mission.

Sylla and DougE

Follow the links below to read a first hand account of the experience.

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