Family Wellness Fair to take place May 8 at Veterans Memorial Hospital

The 22nd annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 8 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Health testing, exhibits and activities will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families and individuals of all ages. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event.

ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment for the evening will include special appearances by “Klyde Thinger” the Clown. In addition, a Waukon Fire Department fire truck and Veterans Memorial Hospital ambulance will be parked at the front entrance to the hospital for children to view. Face painting will again be offered this year, and many youth games such as a bean bag toss, a hula hoop contest and a youth fitness challenge will also be offered. Child Car seat checks will also be offered by certified professionals who will be located at the shipping/receiving entrance to the hospital.

Also again this year, everyone attending the fair will be invited to disinfect their cell phone with the PhoneSoap machine located at the main entrance of the hospital.

EXHIBITORS
Over 40 exhibitors will have tables on display providing demonstrations, games, crafts and educational information for the entire family. To date, the exhibitors include: Waukon Lions Club “Iowa Kid Sight” free vision screenings for children, Allamakee County Conservation Board, Allamakee County Extension, Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention,  The Alzheimer’s Association, Mayo Health System Waukon Clinic, Gundersen Eye Clinic, Gundersen Waukon Medical Clinic, Families First Counseling, Helping Services for Northeast Iowa, MOSAIC, NEICAC Early Childhood Programs, NEICAC Housing Department, NICC, Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health, Northgate Care Center, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Northeast Iowa RC&D, TASC, Thornton Manor and Thornton Heights, Waukon and Postville Good Samaritan Center, Village Creek Bible Camp, Clayton County VNA-WIC, Riverview Center, Waukon Park and Recreation/Waukon Aquatic Center and the Waukon Wellness Center.

HEALTH FAIR
Veterans Memorial Hospital staff will be on hand to perform a number of free health tests. Blood pressure testing, grip strength testing and children’s reach game, O2 saturation and carbon monoxide testing plus the effects of smoking, diabetes and blood sugar testing, and chair massages and reflexology will all be available and performed free of charge.

Again this year, Veterans Memorial Hospital staff will be demonstrating and instructing the new “Hands Only” CPR that can effectively be used by anyone, on anyone who has a witnessed cardiac arrest. Wallet cards will be handed out to everyone for quick reference on this new, simple, two-step CPR procedure. Information on cancer and cancer prevention will also be available at the fair as well as information on medical advance directives. New this year, information on how to “Stop The Bleed” with hands-on practice will also be highlighted.

Hospital staff will also be offering tours of the brand new MRI truck that is located just outside the hospital, plus tours of the redecorated maternity services department will also be available.

Of special interest this year is information on how to eat to prevent cancer as well as the option of Vitamin D testing. This test does not require fasting and will be offered to everyone in attendance for a fee.

REFRESHMENTS AND DOOR PRIZES
The Veterans Memorial Hospital Nutrition Services Department will be providing spa water and healthy snacks throughout the evening.

Over 100 door prizes will also be given away that night. All visitors to the Spring Into Family Wellness Fair are eligible to win just by signing in at the registration table as they enter the hospital. Names will be drawn throughout the evening with all winners having their choice of available door prizes.

The 22nd “Family Wellness Fair,” held Wednesday, May 8 from 3:30-6:30 p.m., is a community-wide event offering families and individuals of all ages a night of entertainment and education about the resources available to them. This fun-filled family event is free and open to all members of the community of any age.

For any additional information, contact Erin Berns, Public Relations Director at Veterans Memorial Hospital, at 563-568-3411.