BY KARI L. SANDS
VALDOSTA — The South Health District sponsored its seventh consecutive Public Health Awareness Day at Southeast Elementary School on Saturday. Beginning at 9 a.m., activities, including blood pressure screenings and cholesterol checks, were offered while children enjoyed games, face painting, and fitness workout activities.
“We hold this event in hopes that the community become more proactive about health care,” said Brenda Mims, South Health District's Infectious Diseases Coordinator, and coordinator of the event. “The greatest thing that we want to accomplish through this event is that people become more aware. The community that we serve so well knows so little about the health care that is — and can — be provided. This event also gives us additional insight as to how we need to work collaborate with other health entities to improve health care and awareness in Lowndes County.”
With the event slated to end at 2 p.m., by noon, some 350 visitors had already attended the Public Health Awareness Day to learn more about LAMP, the Pregnancy Support Center, Baby Love, Kool Smiles, Teen Explosion, Habitat for Humanity, United Hospice and Unisource, The March of Dimes, The Humane Society and much more.
The local AKA chapter provided citizens with valuable voter registration information. With 10 trainers present, Chi Alpha Fitness, who offers personal and athletic training, provided the attendants with various workout exercises. Emergency Preparedness sessions were held to educate people on what materials and what procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.
The American Red Cross was on the scene, directed during the event by Bessie Pitman, to conduct a blood drive in honor of Coretta Rogers. By noon, 37 individuals had signed up and donated blood to the American Red Cross.
“I came out to the event with a friend. Although I’ve donated blood before, it’s been a while. And with the shortage the American Red Cross is facing with blood donations, I decided that today was a good day and it’s always a great cause to donate blood. This event is a great opportunity for people in the community to come and learn about health care.”
Port-A-Pit Barbecue and Southern Caterers, owned by Mark Mink, provided guests with 400 chicken dinners as part of the free-for-all event. Snow cones, pickles, and other snacks were also provided during the event.
Tamya Edwards, 2, won a basket from Kool Smilez while Nautica Graddy, 5, won a basket from Eye Associates as door prizes.
Stitches, a program sponsored by Lowndes County Jail, was also a major sponsor that provides money through grants for community events hosted by the South Health District. “We are blessed to have the participation of Stitches especially as they have so many other activities going on at the same time. Stitches helps to do this to inform the community of the available services here in Lowndes County,” said Patrina Bowles, a coordinator of Infectious Diseases Department.
Mims hopes for an even larger participation next year to continue to educate the community about Public Health Programs and services as well as other organizations in Lowndes County.
