Children's Health Fair, run set Saturday

Mayor Rist was joined by Teri Smith, board member for the Recreation Foundation for Elmore County, WECRD volunteers Beth Reed and Charles Kennedy, and several supporting youths including Thomas Tapley who will be walking in support of autism awareness along with his family.

The Annual Children's Health Fair, hosted by Elmore Medical Center, will be held Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the hospital lawn.

The event is free to the public and will feature more than 20 service agencies, businesses and health providers.

The outside venue for the Children's Health Fair will provide room for additional activities including hospital tours, MRI viewing, a bouncy castle and free hot dogs.

The annual event offers parents and children an opportunity to learn about health-related services and businesses available in Elmore County and the surrounding communities.

"Bringing area health services agencies and businesses together in one place will make it easier for busy families to get the information they need to keep their families happy and healthy," said EMC Education Manager, Anna Hissong.

The Elmore Medical Center Education department organizes the Children's Health Fair as a community service. Participating businesses collaborate in the effort to provide the latest information available regarding children's health and wellness.

Door prizes provided by area businesses will be awarded throughout the event. Door prize tickets will be distributed at the gates. Free hot dogs and popcorn will be served while supplies last.

A "Teddy Bear Clinic" will be offered for the first time this year. Participating children are encouraged to bring their damaged stuffed animals for the Children's Health Fair volunteers to help mend. The "Teddy Bear Clinic" offers an opportunity to explain how doctors and nurses take care of hurt people using the stuffed animals as examples.

Free sports physicals will be offered at Trinity Mountain Medical Clinic. Students in 7th to 12th grade, who are planning to participate in school sports programs, are eligible to receive a free sports physical. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Physical recipients are asked to bring their immunization records. Physicals will be provided by Trinity Mountain Medical Clinic medical staff.

Emergency vehicles will be on display from the Mountain Home Fire Department, Air St. Luke's, Mountain Home Police Department and Elmore Ambulance Service. Free eye screenings will be provided by the Mountain Home Lions Club. Costco is providing free hearing screenings.

The Western Elmore County Recreation District also is sponsoring a Youth Fun Walk in conjunction with the Children's Health Fair.

The 2-mile Fun Run/Walk will start at the big pavilion in Richard Aguirre Park at 10:30 a.m.

The event is open to all children and teens. If children are under eight years old, a parent or other adult must walk with them. Strollers or wagons may be used for smaller children.

Registration for the event will take place at 9:30 a.m. in front of the hospital. At 10 a.m., warm-ups will begin.

Snacks and refreshments will be furnished at the end of the event.

All children who participate will receive a ticket good for one of many prizes to be awarded after the run/walk.

Questions concerning the fun run event can be directed to event organizers Teri Smith at 587-3292 or Beth Reed at 580-0888.