7/17/2014 - Save the Date for the Free Children's Health Fair

Save the date for the sixth annual “Wild About Health” Free Children’s Health Fair to be held Sunday, October 5, from 11 – 3 p.m., at the Alex Rorabaugh Center located on the Grace Hudson school campus in Ukiah. The event is sponsored by Ukiah Valley Medical Center and the Savings Bank of Mendocino County along with a coalition of community partners including the Boys and Girls Club, First 5 Mendocino, Healthy Kids Mendocino, Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Mendocino College Nursing, North Coast Opportunities, Redwood Children’s Services, Shriner’s Hospital, Soroptimist International of Ukiah, Ukiah Unified School District, and Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center.

A passport to health is given to each child upon arrival which challenges them to travel through the “jungle” of fun activities and health screenings. They will have the opportunity to visit over 30 interactive booths where they will learn about healthy eating, staying fit, fire safety – parents and care givers will also have access to valuable community resources all in one place!. At each booth the children’s passports will be stamped and once they have filled their passport they can drop it off in a prize drawing for a chance to win one of several raffle items, including a brand new bicycle.

Free health screenings such as dental, vision, diabetes, and hearing to name a few are available. Shriner’s provides a free screening clinic for children in need of specialized services for orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. Over the years these screenings have helped to identify many children with health issues that may not have had access to the same kind of health care services otherwise.

Kids are encouraged to bring their bikes and receive a free bike safety check-up and participate in the bike safety course. Those in need will also receive a free bike helmet. New activities this year include a Kids’ Challenge course, live DJ and surprise entertainment.

Hundreds of families attend this event every year. While the kids are having fun at the booths, parents gain valuable information about available services from a variety of organizations in the community. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. Be sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, October 5!

In addition to the major sponsors, the Free Children’s Health Fair is able to take place due to generous donations from the community. So far this year donations have been received from Soroptimist International of Ukiah and Sons of Italy.

For more information on how to get involved, make a donation or if you have questions please contact Bridget Sholin at 707-467-5282 or Bridget.Sholin@ah.org.