Lisa Benson

Lisa Benson is a retired Massage Therapist with 28 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. Her belief in massage and how it heals the body led her to begin volunteering at an HIV/AIDS residential care facility. At that time, AIDS was still a new disease with many unknowns. People were scared to touch affected friends. Doctors and nurses hesitated to even touch patients with AIDS. Lisa had a desire to help and a license to touch people. It was a perfect fit. She started out volunteering massage therapy to clients but somehow she kept ending up in the kitchen. 

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Finding a love of cooking for others, Lisa remained in the Our House kitchen where she served up dinners for the next 20 years. In 2012, Lisa was awarded the Silent Servant Award for her dedication to the residents of Our House. She’s a fierce advocate for people with HIV/AIDS and she continues to serve that community today by running a Cold Weather shelter for low income people living with HIV/AIDS and experiencing homelessness. 

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Lisa is also a born performer. Lisa loves to entertain and has created three one-woman shows that have raised funds for great causes like Outside In, the HIV Day Center and school music trip expenses for a 15-year-old in Salem, Oregon. Lisa is a student of Stephanie Smith and Courtney Freed, is active in several community choirs, and is a valued member of the Miss Smith and Resound NW studios. She brings her big heart and many talents to the Newport Performing Arts Festival and looks forward to overseeing this artistic adventure.