Enterprise women hosts fundraiser for fellow businessman

All About Massage owner Bobbi DuBose outlines plans Wednesday to raise funds for Lanny Shepherd who lost his business in the New Year’s Eve day fire that destroyed all or part of five buildings on South Main Street in Enterprise.

By Michelle Mann
Published: January 28, 2010

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Piles of thick, dark smoke billowing into the sky is what Bobbi DuBose remembers about the New Year’s Eve day morning she went in to open her business on College Street in Enterprise.
“Smoke was everywhere,” the owner of All About Massage said Wednesday. “It was something I will never forget.” She and her staff of massage therapists are hosting a fundraiser to help a man whose business was burned to the ground that day.
The Saturday morning of the fire, Enterprise firefighters gathered at the back of Lanny’s Gym and Fitness Center on South Main Street in an effort to extinguish the fire that began around 6:45 a.m. New Year’s Eve day. Before 7 a.m., Lanny’s Gym was destroyed by fire. Flames and smoke from the gym fire spread from Lanny’s to Scorpion Karate Academy, Care South, Jada’s Restaurant and the adjacent apartments. Several families who lived in apartments in the row of buildings were left homeless by the fire.
DuBose and her staff decided they had to do something to help Lanny Shepherd, owner of the gym. “He’s a giving person, always giving of himself,” DuBose said Wednesday. “We want to give back.”
“All of our therapists are licensed massage therapists,” she said. “That is what we do so we decided that is how we could give back.”
Until Feb. 13, the three women are donating their time and talents in an effort to raise funds for Shepherd. For a minimum $100 donation, a person will receive a twenty five minute massage. “All funds raised will be donated,” DuBose said.
“For the convenience of and to provide maximum attention to each person, all sessions are by appointment only,” she said. Appointments can be made through the shop’s website -- massageinenterprise.com or by calling 393-2225. Sessions are usually scheduled Monday through Saturday.
DuBose is a graduate of The European School of Massage Therapy in Houston, Texas. While living in Italy for nearly 10 years she worked in resort hotels and local gyms and ultimately graduated from The New Age School of Shiatsu. After moving back to the states and graduating from The Blue Cliff School of Therapeutic Massage, she opened All About Massage.
Massage Therapist Sheena Wise is a graduate of Blue Cliff School of Therapeutic Massage in Mobile. Pam Wall has been a Massage Therapist since 2003.
DuBose met Shepherd when she worked out at his gym. “He was always helping someone or reading his Bible,” she said. “If anybody’s deserving of our efforts it’s him.”