NILAND — From the number of people who attend the event to the number of agencies present, the Family and Children’s Health Fair has continued to grow since the inaugural event 11 years ago.
The fair serves as an opportunity for community members here to receive free dental, blood pressure and glucose screenings in addition to learning about the outreach of the local medical community.
Held at Grace Smith School, the event also gives students the opportunity to learn about fire safety and the importance of reading and staying healthy.
Most students took advantage of the free books made available through the Brawley Public Library’s Literacy and Mobile Book Service.
“I picked a Junie B. Jones book,” said Nathalie Ramirez, a 10-year-old Grace Smith fourth-grader. “I like the health fair because it’s very fun to be with lots of friends and do fun things.”
Joan Clemente, an instructional aide at Grace Smith, said the event was important to the community and the students.
“It’s important for the students because it gives them the opportunity to have fun and learn things from the people here,” Clemente said.
Beverly Spann said she looks forward to the event every year in the hope of stumbling across a new piece of information.
“It’s just nice to come out talk to the people at the different booths,” Spann, a Niland resident said. “Every year there is something new to look at.”
The event is made possible through the partnership of the Calipatria Unified School District and the Imperial County Children and Families First Commission.
“One of the reasons this event has continued to be successful is because agencies see the good it does for people in the community,” said Maria Nava-Froelich, Calipatria Unified projects coordinator. “By talking to residents for a few minutes or giving them health advice they are making a difference in their lives.”
Staff Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3439 or klopez@ivpressonline.com
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