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SSD hosts community health fair this week |
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Monday, 04 August 2008 |
By SHOSHANA BRACKETT
Starkville Daily News
A community health fair at Sudduth Elementary School Wednesday aims to help the entire community become healthier in all areas of life.
In its third year, the fair is hosted by the Starkville School District and will include 46 vendors, several health screening opportunities, free lunch for 500 people and door prizes.
The fair is open to all ages and offers members of the community the chance to visit with representatives of many different organizations focused on helping people be healthier.
“I think it’s important we educate adults and children about nutrition and physical activity,” said Sudduth Principal Elizabeth Mosley. “Everybody’s invited.”
Representatives from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, Starkville Parks and Recreation Department and local volunteer organizations will be on site with information about healthy eating and physical activity, youth sports opportunities throughout the year and volunteer opportunities.
Booths include the American Red Cross, the Golden Triangle Area Agency on Aging, the Mississippi Department of Health, Sally Kate Winters Family Services, Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity, Starkville Counseling Associates LLC, Starkville Pediatrics, Starkville in Motion, The Partnership for a Healthier Mississippi, Oktibbeha County Hospital, CARE Ministries and many others.
“The community is playing a big part in this,” said Beverly Lowry, SSD child nutrition director. “We couldn’t have done any of it without the community.”
The vendors will be set up in the main wing of the school with hearing and vision screenings held in private rooms as well as a blood drive held in conjunction with the fair.
The fair runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the school located at 101 Greenfield Street. Sudduth’s open house for K-2 students will be held the same day from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Parents of children attending Sudduth this year may also prepay for their child’s lunches in the cafeteria on Wednesday.
The first 500 people to participate in eight activities by visiting vendors and partaking in health screenings will earn a free lunch from Subway.
Healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, milk and juice will also be available.
Other activities include face painting and appearances by MSU’s Bully and Starkville High School’s Buzz the yellowjacket.
The fair is sponsored by the Starkville School District, the Department of Family-Centered Programs, Brickfire Project, the MSU Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, the MSU Extension Service and the MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion.
For more information about the health fair, contact Lowry at 615-0027.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 August 2008 )
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