GREENSBURG – Booths, booths, and more booths lined the expanse of the Greensburg Elementary School gymnasium and beyond, welcoming hundreds for Decatur County Memorial Hospital’s Annual Healthy Fair Wednesday.
A range of services that ran the gamut from personal healthcare to programs intended to help enrich the lives of disadvantaged children helped make the event one of the largest in its history, DCMH Marketing and Communications Manager Amy Shearer said.
Shearer said 71 vendors took part in the Healthy Fair this year, including representatives from nearly every hospital department, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, local clubs, and numerous other community organizations that put healthy living at the forefront of their services.
Shearer called the event a success and credited assistance from the hospital’s Healthy Fair board with help in planning it. Shearer began work in her position in April and she was more than satisfied with her freshman effort in organizing one of DCMH’s most popular community events.
Shearer said the Healthy Fair serves several purposes, not the least of which is helping show local people the breadth of healthcare-related services available in Decatur County. This year’s program also included presentations by some of DCMH’s newest physicians, a variety of health screenings, and even information pertaining to health insurance selection.
Shearer said she hopes to learn from the positive experience and has new ideas to bring to the figurative table for next year.
Setting the table
Literal tables set up in the gymnasium were a popular spot, thanks to the efforts of DCMH Dietary Director Connie Million and a crew of dedicated young volunteers.
Million’s daughter Emily, a sixth-grader, joined Greensburg Junior High School student Alaina Nobbe, Greensburg Community High School freshman Vincent Pavy, and several other kids who helped make sure all guests enjoyed a healthy lunch.
Million said lunch crews began their work as early as 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, preparing about 700 Subway sandwich-infused meals for the event. Shearer said each vendor received a free lunch, and she estimated 500 more would be handed out to guests.
The students taking time out of their summer vacations to help Million and others in her department didn’t seem to mind the work, and told the Daily News the volunteer effort was a worthwhile way to spend a Wednesday.
“I feel good about helping other people,” Alaina Nobbe said. The eighth-grader’s assessment was seconded by both Vincent and Emily as well.
Family matters
While Connie Million’s committed crew of young volunteers did their work, Jannie Combs hoped to open the hearts of passersby to the benefits adoption can make in a child’s life.
Combs, who works for the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and specializes in adoption practices, distributed flyers and brought information on various state programs centered on providing a “forever family” to children who have been abandoned or otherwise made their way through the foster care system without finding a permanent home.
Combs said the branch she represents serves six counties in southeastern Indiana and said visiting the Healthy Fair and similar events helps spread the word on adoption programs offered locally and across the state. Some of the DCS representative’s materials on-hand Wednesday offered testimonials from children who have benefited from the program, which Combs feels pays positive dividends for both the kids and their adopting parents.
“It’s about helping kids find a home and find love,” Combs said.
More information about the Indiana Adoption Program can be found at IN.gov/dcs.
Decatur County Public Health Nurse Diane Berry-Stewart joined her predecessor, Sue Collie, at Wednesday’s Healthy Fair in an effort to keep the community informed of the many services available at the Decatur County Health Department.
“We’re happy they [DCMH] include us,” Collie, a semi-retired registered nurse said.
Berry-Stewart and Collie said appearing at the Healthy Fair helps keep the public aware of services offered at the health department, which is located at 801 North Lincoln Street, across from DCMH.
Berry-Stewart and Collie said the department is preparing its walk-in school immunization clinic July 22 and July 29, set to run from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. both days. The immunizations are for the underinsured, those without insurance at all, or those qualified to receive Medicaid. An up-to-date immunization record will be required, and parents or guardians must sign a consent form.
The clinic is intended for students entering kindergarten, sixth grade, or their senior year of high school. The Decatur County Health Department can be reached at 812-663-8301.
Berry-Stewart and Collie represent their department at a variety of health-centered community events, and they agreed that the increased visibility that comes from appearing at those events is helpful to the community.
The great outdoors
Likewise, Decatur County Parks and Recreation Superintendent Bob Barker and Board Secretary Teresa Kovachich feel that the Healthy Fair and similar programs offer community members a look at fun, healthy local activities that are essentially just outside the door.
The Parks and Rec. representatives offered an extensive pool pass to one lucky winner Wednesday, including goggles, sunscreen, a towel and pretty much everything necessary for a fun time at the Allen Memorial Pool.
Barker and Kovachich said the balanced calendars adopted by Greensburg and Decatur County schools in the last few years has shortened the swimming season, but they added that there are plenty of ways to enjoy “the great outdoors” before summer’s end.
Barker said his booth hoped to promote the new walking trails, which span from Rebekah Park to the Decatur County Community Schools administration building, as well as other ways to spend sunny summer days.
Free for all
The Healthy Fair also offered enough goodies that grab bags were a necessity. From bottled water to healthy candies, there was plenty for guests to take home.
One booth offered a comprehensive blood screening while others gave important health check-ups at no cost. Still others offered a no-cost glimpse into local services of which Tree County residents might not have otherwise been aware.
Last year’s event drew approximately 800 people to the GES gymnasium. Shearer estimated that this year’s attendance was close to that number, and said she hopes to continue to see the popular fair grow.
Contact: Brent Brown 812-663-3111 x7056; brent.brown@greensburgdailynews.com