10/03/16 sds
HAYS, Kan. -- Students of the Fort Hays State University massage therapy program will provide free massages to the elderly at Hays Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society's annual Founder's Day on Oct. 17.

"This is an amazing opportunity because it's supporting two needed populations, students and the elderly," said Ceena Owens, instructor of health and human performance and director of the massage therapy program.

Founder's Day is a celebration of the Good Samaritan Society and the work it has accomplished since its establishment on Sept. 29, 1922. The Founder's Day Service Project program allows the society to give back to the communities that help make their work possible.

"On Founder's Day, we honor our organization's rich history," said Susan Jones, director of Hays Good Samaritan. "We also honor and celebrate our staff members and the people we serve."

The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is a non-profit organization that owns and operates more than 240 care centers, health care agencies and retirement centers. The society's mission is to share God's love by providing shelter and support services to those in need.