Health and Wellness Fair promotes healthy lifestyles

On Saturday, Hacker Middle School hosted the sixth annual Health and Wellness Fair sponsored by the Elmore Medical Center and the Western Elmore County Recreation District.

The Health Fair is a day "to increase awareness of a healthy living in our community," according to organizer and Education Manager at Elmore Medical Center Anna Hissong.

The event began in 2002 as the Senior Health and Fitness Day. The success of the event grew to the point where in 2004, Elmore Medical Center and WECRD decided to join together and co-sponsor the Health Fair.

Not only did the fair receive a big public turnout, the fair also gained assistance from 38 different health care providers.

Every health care provider at the fair provided services for the guests that included flu shots (for $15), blood draws and lab tests provided by Elmore Medical Center staff and volunteers, spinal assessments by Peak Physical Therapy, sight screenings by the Lions Club, free bone density scans by the Elmore Medical Radiology Department and free foot massages from the Long Term Care Unit.

Other programs that took part in the Health Fair included LifeFlight, Mountain Home Parks and Recreation, the Mountain Home Senior Center, the Mountain Home Public Library, which displayed a series of books on healthy living, and the Elmore County Domestic Violence Council, which handed out purple magnets that read "Stop Domestic Violence."The guests were treated to healthy snacks made by the hospital dietary department and served by Hospital Auxiliary volunteers.

"I'm very pleased, it's been wonderful and today had such an amazing turnout," said Hissong.

Later in the day, the WECRD held its Adult Fun Walk, an event according to volunteer Teri Smith, is "a time to get out and exercise, and to know that exercise can be fun and not have to be a chore."

Twenty-one residents took part in the two-mile trek similar to the course run during the Senior Health and Fitness Walk in May of 2004.

Once the run concluded, the runners/walkers gathered together for a special raffle of a prize pool totalling close to $250, with top prizes from Les Schwab Tires (free thrust alignment-$51.95), Mountain Home Commerical Tire (one free oil change--$40), Patsy's Hair and Design (one hair cut and one manicure--$37), Brown Wrapper Framing (two coupons for 20 percent off framed art of metal art) and Domino's Pizza (four certificates for one large single topping pizzas).

Following the run, 12-year-old Paul Rooney commented on his effort in the walk, where he finished one minute behind the first-place group.

"I wished the run went longer, but I think I did a pretty good job keeping up with the leader."

First year Fun Run/Walk organizer and election official for WECRD Rebecca Ainslie-Perez was proud over the event's success.

"It went really well. We had a nice turnout and we hope for a bigger turnout next year."

In commending the involvement of the Citizens on Patrol and the MHPD, Smith added, "We are thankful that every year the police department steps up and assures the safety of our runners."

Perez handed to each of the runners a card acknowledging, "13 Easy Ways to Get Moving" that read as follows:

1. Do jumping jacks, sit ups and push ups, during commercials or whenever.

2. Play tag with your friends.

3. Go for a walk and if you have one take your dog.

4. Dance.

5. Garden or do yard work.

6. Help your parents around the house with chores.

7. Play catch, basketball, soccer, baseball, football, or any other sport.

8. Have relay races.

9. Jump rope.

10. Ride a bike or skateboard.

11. Skip instead of walking.

12. Go running.

13. Dance some more.

The guests in attendance all expressed the same positive sentiment for this year's Health Fair.

"I'm really impressed, this is a very important event, and I hope the popularity continues to grow," said Mike O'Neill, pastor at Nazarene Church.

"I like the event, you get a lot of information at no cost, and flu shots for $15, you can't go wrong with that," said Gene MacLean.

As the event came to a close, Elmore Medical Center Development Director Doreen Krabbenhoft noted, "The event itself was a great success. I think we had a really good turnout and I am thrilled that we could provide services like the blood draws and flu shots."