"Family Wellness Fair" scheduled for May 9 at Veterans Memorial Hospital

The 15th annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 9 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon.  Health testing, exhibits and activities will provide a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event, sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital, and held in conjunction with the hospital’s “In Step with VMH” Community Wellness program.

ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment for the evening will include musicians and vocalists from Waukon High School from 4-5 p.m. in the main entrance area, and Tae Kwon Do demonstrations from 5-6 p.m. held in the Healthy Lifestyles Center. Special appearances will be made by “Klyde Thinger” the Clown, plus balloon artist and professional medical representative Paul Kammarmeyer will be on site making his creative balloon creations for the children attending the Fair. In addition, the Waukon Area Fire Protection District will have a fire truck and its smoke trailer parked in the front entrance to the hospital, along with an ambulance for children to view.

EXHBITORS
Over 40 exhibitors will have tables on display providing demonstrations, games and crafts for the entire family. To date, the exhibitors include Waukon Lions Club “Iowa Kid Sight” free vision screenings for children, Allamakee County Extension, Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department, American Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Association, ASAP, Community Connections, Families First Counseling, Iowa Hospice, Mayo Health System Waukon Clinic, Gundersen Lutheran Eye Clinic, Gundersen Lutheran Waukon Clinic, HAWC, Helping Services for NE Iowa, Keystone AEA, Makee Manor, NEICAC Early Head Start, Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health, Northgate Care Center, Northland Agency on Aging, TASC,  Thornton Manor and Thornton Heights, Waukon Dental, Waukon and Postville Good Samaritan Center, Waukon Park and Recreation/Waukon Aquatic Center and the Waukon Wellness Center.

CHILD CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKS
Children’s car seats may be checked at the fair for proper installation and usage. These checks will be performed by the trained Veterans Memorial Hospital car seat technicians and will take place in the loading dock area, just past the main entrance on the east side of the hospital.

HEALTH FAIR
Veterans Memorial Hospital staff will be on hand to perform a number of health tests. Free blood pressure testing; strength, coordination and agility drills for children; strength testing; hand/eye coordination testing; oxygen saturation and carbon monoxide testing and smoking cessation; diabetes and blood sugar testing; massage and body scrub sampling; and cancer prevention information will all be available and performed free of charge. Cholesterol tests with immediate results will be available for a nominal fee.
New this year, Veterans Memorial Hospital staff will be demonstrating and instructing the new “Hands Only” CPR that can effectively be used 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.

REFRESHMENTS
The Veterans Memorial Hospital Nutrition Services department will be providing healthy snacks throughout the evening with information and samples available on “breakfast power,” highlighting the importance of eating a good breakfast.

DOOR PRIZES
Over 100 door prizes will be given away throughout the evening. All visitors to the "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 door prizes.
All visitors are encouraged to park in the front, main parking lot of the hospital.  For additional information, contact Erin Berns, Public Relations Director at Veterans Memorial Hospital, at 563-568-3411.