New River Health District Hosting Mid-Summer Family Fun Fest Event

new river health districtPULASKI, Va. – The New River Health District (NRHD) will host its first Mid-Summer Family Fun Fest event on Friday, July 17 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Pulaski County Middle School, 4396 Lee Highway in Pulaski.

 

The NRHD is partnering with other local agencies and organizations to offer the community a one-stop shop to learn more about available programs and services and enjoy a day of fun. Services to be offered include:

 

  • FREE rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats. Dogs must be leashed and cats must be in carriers. Pets must remain under owners’ control.
  • Back-to-school immunizations billed to insurance and a limited supply of free vaccines for the uninsured.
  • School physicals billed to insurance or at a low rate for same day payment.
  • Sports physicals available for $40 each.
  • FREE lunch including sandwiches, chips, fruit, dessert, and a beverage.
  • Lots of giveaways and activities.

In addition to partnering organizations, the NRHD will have tables set up for each of its major programs, along with giveaways for people that stop by. Participants will have a chance to learn more about the following resources:

 

  • Community Outreach: Learn how NRHD can provide health education and information at your next work or community event.
  • Environmental Health Food Safety Program: Learn about safe food preparation and storage, as well as how restaurant inspections are performed by NRHD.
  • Environmental Health Rabies Program: Hear how to assess your family’s risk of exposure to rabies.
  • Environmental Health Septic and Well Services: Discover how systems operate and what you can do to ensure yours is well maintained.
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs: Get tips to ensure your loved ones are ready for natural disasters and other response events.
  • Immunizations: Get required back-to-school vaccinations.
  • Resource Mothers and BabyCare Services: Information for eligible pregnant and parenting women.
  • Rise Above Program: Hear how this program helps individuals at-risk for and with a history of substance use can get assistance and a path toward recovery.
  • Physicals: For those seeks required school and sports physicals.
  • Summer Safety: Learn how to protect yourself from the sun, the extreme heat and more.
  • Ticks: Get information on how to identify various ticks and how to protect yourself from them.
  • Vital Records: See how to request birth, death, marriage and divorce records.
  • WIC Services: Learn if you are eligible for the nutrition education and supplement program.

The NRHD wanted to offer community members of all ages a chance to connect with the wonderful programs and services available to support them, no matter where they are in life. This event offers programs and activities for young children through older adults, families and single individuals, as well as those with pets.

 

Information and services will be available from the following partnering agencies:

 

  • Imagination Library of Montgomery County
  • Pulaski Free Clinic
  • NRV Recovery Ecosystem
  • Pulaski County Office of Prevention and Recovery
  • New River Valley Agency on Aging
  • Department of Aging and Rehabilitation Services
  • YMCA of Pulaski
  • New River Community Action – CHIP
  • Pulaski County Library System
  • New River Valley Senior Services and Pulaski Area Transit
  • New River Community Action
  • Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley
  • Virginia Tech Public Health
  • UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center

“We are all about meeting people where they are. We want our community to get to know us and all that we can offer by helping folks access programs and services that are here to support them,” said Noelle Bissell M.D., New River Health District director. “Whether it is difficult to take time away from work to take your child for back-to-school shots, or you just aren’t sure what programs are available to you, we want people to take advantage of this opportunity. We are bringing a lot of those resources and programs together at a time when we hope people can come and join us.”

 

The other goal of the event is to reinforce a sense of community – community between individuals – and also the sense of community where so many agencies and organizations are coming together to make themselves available to their fellow community members. “We want folks to come by, see what it is all about, share a meal, and feel valued and appreciated as a member of the NRV community,” said Dr. Bissell.

 

For more information, please contact the New River Health District at 540-585-3300 or visit the health district Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NewRiverHealthDistrict.