Kids’ Health Fair: Helping kids be healthy

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert County Hospital and Van Wert Elementary School, along with several supporting partners, will host the 10th annual Kid’s Health Fair on Friday, September 30, at Van Wert County Hospital for Van Wert Elementary students in grades 3-5.

According to the World Health Organization, health is not just the absence of disease, but rather is the complete physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual. This approach to complete healthy living is the basis for the Kid’s Health Fair.

Students will complete activities at each of the following stations: Balance & Flexibility, Dental Health, Stone Quarry Safety (sponsored by Stoneco, a division of the Shelley Company), Hands-Only CPR, Backyard Safety (sponsored by The Kenn-Feld Group), Responding in an Emergency (in conjunction with Van Wert County Hospital Emergency Department and Lutheran Mobile ICU), Poison Safety and Tobacco Prevention (sponsored by Van Wert County Health Department), and Disability Awareness.

Special lunch-break activities include the opportunity to see an ambulance up close (sponsored by Braun Industries Inc.); hear how firefighters respond in an emergency and stay safe (sponsored by Van Wert Fire Department); see how police officers use K-9 dogs to help search for drugs; interact with the Van Wert County DARE Team; and the chance to practice talking with a 9-1-1 operator.

Students will also complete a 1-mile fun run around the Van Wert County Hospital campus. Parents and community supporters are encouraged to spectate during the fun run to cheer on the runners. Fourth graders will run at 10:15 a.m.; Third graders will run at 10:45 a.m.; and Fifth graders will run at 11:15 a.m.  Four local community figures will also run with the kids to demonstrate the importance of physical activity at all ages: Van Wert Police Chief Joel Hammons, VWHS boys’ cross country coach Ryan Holliday, Van Wert Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming, and YWCA of Van Wert County Executive Director Kimberly Laudick. Fun run times may vary in the case of a school delay that day.

For additional information about the Kids Health Fair, contact Ellen Rager, director of patient and community relations at Van Wert County Hospital, at 419.238.2390.