Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

PENNOCK HEALTH SERVICES, Hastings, Michigan
Children's Health & Safety Fair

What is it?
Pennock Health Services is sponsoring the 22nd Annual Children's Health & Safety Fair on September 17, 2008. This long-running event began as an annual health fair for Barry County's third-graders in 1986, and is still organized by Pennock Hospital's Volunteer Services Department. The fair teaches children how to stay healthy and safe in a fun, dynamic, and interactive way. Each classroom spends approximately 10 minutes with each presenter, covering topics ranging from "germ busters" (hand washing), nutrition, fitness, and fire safety, as well as water safety, sun safety, and eye health. Children also experience a tour of an ambulance, police car, fire truck, and bucket truck from the local utility company. They also learn how to navigate through the Wayland Fire Department's "Smoke House." The Barry County Sheriff's Posse brings its horses, and other presentations include wheelchair races, bicycle safety, weather safety with a meteorologist from the local TV station, and an orthopedic clinic, which does thumb casts for the kids during its bones segment. Organizers estimate that the fair has touched more than 8,800 children's lives since its inception.

Who is it for?
All third-grade students in Barry County (up to 600 annually).

Why do they do it?
Realizing the need to educate young children about health and wellness, Pennock Health Services continues to partner with local schools to put this event together annually.

Contact: Stacey E. Graham
Customer Service Manager
Telephone: 269-945-1760
Email: sgraham@pennockhealth.com