Whitehaven health fair helps families prepare for start of school
Families eager to get a head start on the first day of school filled Whitehaven High Saturday for the 16th annual Back to School Health Fair and Festival.
Hundreds attended the event, which provided free medical screenings for students.
Organizer Hazel Moore said the fair was open to the entire city as a chance for parents to get their kids ready for school, which begins Aug. 8 for Shelby County Schools.
“Parents felt like they needed something of this nature to get prepared,” Moore said. “I feel wonderful because these are young people that need help and direction in life, and they’re so excited about this.”
Attendees received free backto-school immunizations, blood testing, physical exams and dental, hearing and vision screenings. The event also featured a school supply giveaway.
“It’s a good thing, because a lot of kids don’t get the chance to go to the dentist or get vision screenings because their parents are working all day and
don’t have the time,” Jackie Hodge said as she stood in the vision screenings line for her family.
Baptist Memorial Hospital, Regional One Health and Methodist South Hospital were just a few of the dozens of organizations that provided services at the fair.
Officers from the Memphis Police Department’s Raines Station spoke to a crowd in the school’s auditorium about community outreach programs for youth and encouraged parents to stop by to learn more. Members of the PLO chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority directed families to specific services inside the building. A representative from the Shelby County Health Department provided a free demonstration on sleep safety for babies.
Maurice Dantzler, a teacher at Havenview Middle School, sat at a table hoping to recruit future track stars for the Tigers’ running club.
“I’m here to try and get some runners for my team, promote healthy living and fight childhood obesity,” the coach said, adding that the extracurricular sport was a great option for students who want to try a new sport.
Students could also play on bounce castles outside the school and play with goats and a llama in “Kidz Kountry” on the high school’s lawn.
Cynthia Jones brought her nephew, 8-year-old Isaiah Luellen, to the fair for a free dental exam.
“This is a great, great opportunity before school starts,” Jones said. “It’s helping the kids to come in and see fellowship in harmony, a safe environment and just really great activities here for the youth.”