Story Published:
Sep 27, 2009 at 9:54 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Sep 27, 2009 at 9:54 PM CDT
An event in Springfield focused on teaching folks how to live healthier lives. The Three V's Community Health Celebration- the v's standing for Vitality, Vim and Vigor for Life, was organized by Hand in Hand Ministries Multicultural Center. It's the fourth annual celebration, but this year's was even bigger than the past.
"Do you have any teeth that are hurting you?" dental hygenist Sherry Hall asks a child. The free children's dental screenings was one popular stop at Saturday's health celebration. "I bring the parents in and let them take a look as well. A lot of times, they don't know what's going on in their child's mouth, so if they can get in there and take a look, it makes them more aware," says Hall, with Jordan Valley Community Health Center.
Parent Judy Moody says, "They've taught them a little bit today about how to take care of their teeth, on brushing technique and everything."
The Jordan Valley Health Center mobile dental clinic was just one stop on the tour, as families enjoyed multi-cultural entertainment, and filled their passports to health. "They have to have ten punches of ten different agencies, organizations, or resources that are here, and then they have to have three health lessons," says Judy Humphrey with Hand in Hand Ministries.
Health lessons included proper hand washing, which is being especially stressed with the outbreak of H1N1. Learning how to eat healthy was also a hands-on activity, and other free screenings like blood pressure or body mass index earned another punch on the passport. "The population that we particularly are serving today really need a lot of these different things, because they don't have access to adequate healthcare, insurance, and they're a very under-served population," says Humphrey.
Folks who completed their passports had the chance to take away 50 dollars worth of groceries. "They really like the incentive," says Humphrey. And everyone enjoyed the chance for some healthy lessons. "It's never too soon to start. The earlier the better," says Moody.
2,500 passports were handed out at the event, at least 500 more than last year, and 400 families got to take home free groceries.
