Free Flu Shots and More on October 2 from 12-3PM
When I first came to work at Puente two and a half years ago, I noticed that nearly all of Puente’s programming was designed to maximize participants’ time. Members of our community have a lot on their plates with work, family, school, and more. Living in a rural area, without easy access to transportation and many medical services, means that many people must take unpaid time off work to attend to their medical needs.
The idea of the health fair started three years ago: one event where people could get most of their yearly health screenings done at the same time and have fun with their families. We wanted to help people make the most of their time and create a one-stop-shop – a place and a time where convenient and efficient health services and information were available to our local community. The idea of the fair was to break down the barriers to getting care.
Over the years the Health Fair has evolved to fit the community’s health needs. This year, the fair consists of three parts: health screenings in the Pescadero elementary school multi-purpose room, a traditional informational health fair outside on the playground, and a kid’s soccer tournament on the school field. Health screenings include free flu shots from San Mateo County’s Health Department, blood pressure screenings from the Red Cross, skin cancer screenings from PAMF, musculoskeletal exams from the San Mateo Medical Center, vision screenings from UCSF, and dental screenings from the Ravenswood Clinic and SONRISAS. Participants will also have the opportunity to talk privately with a diabetes nutrition counselor as well as get information about the importance of breast exams and HPV vaccines. Attendees will also be able to sign up for Stanford Cardinal’s Free Clinic pilot program which launches in late October at Puente’s medical clinic.
Outside on the playground, attendees will find information about Puente’s services and programs, nutrition, herbal medicine, vitamins and supplements, lead and pesticide exposure, hospice care, housing and legal advice, Lyme disease prevention and more. Representatives from Planned Parenthood, the Legal Aid Society, the Red Cross, Cañada College, and Project Sentinel will also be providing information about the services offered by their organizations. A local fitness instructor will lead fitness and agility testing. Get your workout and enjoy a treat on Blender bikes — led by Pie Ranch — a fun way to make a smoothie!
There is a completely FREE soccer tournament for youth, ages 6-12, fruit and veggie face painting, children’s activities led by the Half Moon Bay Library, a bounce house and a free pedometer contest where the more steps you complete, the more prizes you win.
In addition to all of the booths, there will also be live local music from three amazing local musicians, and a Zumba demonstration. Students from Pescadero Middle School will sell fruit parfaits to support their trip to Washington, DC. There will also be a raffle for an iPad mini, activity trackers for adults and kids, gift cards, kids bikes and more!
Please join us! The health fair will be this Sunday, October 2nd, from 12pm-3pm at the Pescadero Elementary School. The fair is bilingual and open to all!
For more information, contact Molly Wolfes, Community Health Coordinator, at 650-262-5989.
Many thanks to Health Fair sponsors: San Mateo County Measure A, Kaiser Permanente, Stanford Children’s Health | Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
Puente needs your support for our health and wellness programs. Please donate now.
