Missouri Highlands Health Care held a regional health fair Thursday that attracted area residents to Black River Coliseum to learn how area health care providers, community organizations, and local businesses can help them lead healthier lives.
The health fair was sponsored as part of the “Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative” grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whose goal is to reduce new HIV infections by 75% by 2025 and 90% by 2030.
Roger Lawrence, outreach/education coordinator for Missouri Highlands, said he was happy with how the event had met its goals of informing the public about important health issues.
“I feel that it’s been very positive,” Lawrence said. “Everyone here has been interacting and seems to be enjoying themselves.”
One of the providers at the event was New Life Christian Church United, who brought their Mobile Food Bank to the Coliseum.
“Our turnout has been strong,” said New Life Pastor John Harwell. “It’s been delightful to meet so many neat people, and at the same time, I never fail to be overwhelmed by the sheer need for good food distribution in this area.”
New Life had food packages remaining at the end of the event, which they will continue to distribute during their weekly food pantry offerings from 1-4 p.m. Fridays at their church location, 301 N. Main St. in Poplar Bluff.
South Central Missouri Community Action Agency’s Monica Geer, representing the Early Head Start Homebase program, also agreed the event was a success for them.
“We like to recruit for pregnant moms and children under three, and being as our program is income-based, this event really helps us do that,” Geer said.
“There are a lot more grandmothers and great-grandmothers coming in to refer their grandchildren to us,” Geer said, “so we’ve been handing out a lot of flyers.”
Another provider on hand was the Butler County Community Resource Council, which offers a number of different programs for people of all ages.
Dalene Pyrtle, program director for Young Parent Mentoring, said, “We have the walking group, I work with young moms, we have the community garden, our CASA program, and our RSVP program.”
Prevention Specialist Alexus Joplin said, “We go to Boys and Girls Club in the schools, and we teach life skills classes, and then we teach a debt workshop called ‘Guiding Good Choices.’ I feel like the event had a great turnout.”
Those attending the health fair likewise found the event worthwhile.
Attendee Brenda Young said, “I just wanted to know what it was about, because I have never been to one, and I have found a lot of valuable information.”
Jamie Taylor said she appreciated the different kinds of information available at the event.
“I’ve got useful information from many places,” Taylor said. “Every booth has been helpful because I’m gathering information for my mom also. It’s been a useful day.”