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Ministerial association elects new president
Inspiration Point: Anxiously awaiting Jesus
instead of Ozzy
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Children's Health Day proves popular with those who attend |
Second annual health fair is Love INC's biggest
event of the year; dozens of children attend for screenings |
By Nicole
Clark, Newberg Graphic reporter
E-mail Nicole at
thegraphic@eaglenewspapers.com
|
More than 100 children showed
up at Grace Baptist Church July 14 for what appeared to be a
carnival.
Food, including snow cones and popcorn, was abundant, as were
diversions including a bounce castle and a temporary tattoo booth.
Sunny weather and agreeable temperatures provided an ideal
summertime setting.
But this event wasn’t simply for fun. The carnival was put on by
Love INC as part of its second annual Children’s Health Day, the
organization’s largest annual event. Local children attended the
free event to receive medical screenings, including well child
checkups, dental exams, vision testing and sports physicals.
According to
the Love INC Web site, the Oregon Health Plan has discontinued
coverage for both vision and dental care, making it difficult or
impossible for many area children to get the health care they need.
In addition, many middle and high school youths who wish to be
involved in sports are unable to afford the cost of the required
physical examination.
Although few children were ecstatic at the prospect of going to the
doctor, event organizers tried to make even the examinations a
pleasant experience. After each child received medical services,
they received a prize related to the service; for example, a visor
for a vision test or a small dental care kit after a dental exam.
The biggest prize came after the well child checkups, when each
child received a backpack filled with back-to-school supplies.
Children who were unable to be seen the day of the event have not
been forgotten by the event organizers, Love INC clearinghouse
coordinator Kris Sexson said. He added that arrangements would be
made for volunteers to take care of the needs of those children
throughout the school year.
The event was organized and run by more than 100 volunteers,
including churches, individuals, businesses, agencies and local
medical professionals that donated their time and services. “(It
was) just the community coming together and filling unmet needs,”
Sexson said. In addition, Love INC received donations for the event
from businesses and organizations valued at more than $3,000.
Sexson said he thought the event was “equally as successful as last
year. We expect it to just get better and better.” |
|
From
July 21, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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