Officers treated to mobile massage event

Law enforcement officers were treated to a mobile massage therapy event held Thursday, March 28 at the Blount County Justice Center.

Alums of Blount Leadership’s Class of 2010 organized the event.

Kelly Forster, Leadership Blount class of 2010, said after the recent tragedy of the shooting death of Officer McCowan, their class started to talk about ways they could give back to law enforcement officers in the community.

They decided they wanted to do something that would promote relaxation for officers.

The goal was “to give them an opportunity to have something where they can actually just take a breath; realize more and more that their community loves and supports them,” Forster said.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., officers could take a break from their shift and head over to the parking lot where Tula Blu’s airstream-turned-tiny-massage-therapy-room was set up, as well as a snack table where they could grab some food and water.

Amy Tankersley, a Leadership Blount class of 2022 alumni, founded Tula Blu. She describes it as a “group massage therapy practice” that “takes wellness to the workday” and promotes “self-care anywhere.” The practice operates out of a vintage renovated Airstream.

Officers who wanted to take a relaxation break were greeted by a tiny spa atmosphere inside the Airstream trailer. Complete with climate control, a small bench covered with pillows and a bathroom in the back, they could receive a 10-minute chair massage in a calming atmosphere, where therapists could help alleviate stress in the shoulders, upper back and neck, where Tankersley said people can carry work-related stress.

Debra Whaley, Leadership Blount class of 2010, said that the support that the Blount County community shows for its officers is unmatched. “I’d put ours against any city in the country,” she said.

Whaley attributes that support to the sheriff and deputies that serve Blount County. “They work hard, they care, they run a tight ship,” she said.

Whaley said Leadership Blount brings together its selected participants for a year. Through monthly classes, participants learn more about Blount County and have opportunities to see behind the scenes of some big players in the county, like Blount Memorial and Denso.

By graduation, Whaley said, the group formed a lifelong friendship.

To participate in Leadership Blount, a person must first be nominated. Then, there is an in-depth application where the organization assesses community involvement and volunteerism. Out of the applicants, which Whaley says can be hundreds, Leadership Blount will pick 36.

For the class of 2010, their time together didn’t end at graduation. Jarrod Millsaps, deputy chief with Blount County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and Leadership Blount class of 2010 said, “It’s incredible that you can develop these kinds of relationships…”

He said the relationships he forged during his time in Leadership Blount were true friendships.

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