Health Expo Coming to Lavaca's New Student Union | Health

Community health is at the heart of the Lavaca Public Schools’ fall Health Fair. The September 18th event will boast more than 30 different booths with information relating to mental health, behavioral health, physical health, senior adult care, spiritual wellness, and financial assistance. Doors will be open from 2 pm to 6 pm. The expo will be the debut event held in the school district’s new $1.5 million student union. It will be the community’s first look at the facility.

“It [the health fair] will give the students, staff, and Lavaca residents a variety of health education information and resources under one roof,” Cristi Cleveland, School Health Coordinator, explained.

The idea for the event was born out of a self-assessment of the school’s wellness activities; officials realized that they needed to reach outside of the classroom to the community.

“The mission of Lavaca Public Schools is to educate the whole child. To do that you have to educate the parents, grandparents, and community as well,” said School Health Assistant Coordinator Jennifer Teague.

The school district hopes to educate area residents on health related opportunities and activities. The expo will focus on medical issues like child nutrition, which is the core of the new student union. Vendors will include MediSav Pharmacy, the River Valley Drug-Free Coalition, the Sebastian County Health Department, Blessing Boutique of First Baptist Church Lavaca, I-Earn Fitness, First National Bank, and The C.A.L.L. of Crawford and Sebastian Counties among others.

Organizers are especially excited about the screenings that will be available; the Mercy mammography van in particular. Women interested in having a mammogram done that day must schedule an appointment ahead of time. Potential patients should call (479) 314-6066 to set a time. Mercy will file insurance or grants are available for uninsured individuals.

The promise of fantastic door prizes is certain to draw a crowd. Event goers will fill out a card on the way in and drawings will be held every half hour. You do not have to be present to win. The health expo is being held in conjunction with the elementary, middle, and high schools’ parent/teacher conferences.