Church will host health, wellness fair

Wanting to provide Yuma residents an opportunity to take better care of themselves and live a healthier lifestyle, the Christ Lutheran Church is inviting the community to come out to its first-ever Health and Wellness Fair, which is being held later this month.

“While the focus of the event is for seniors, it is for the entire community, for people of all ages and faiths,” said event coordinator Apryl Brand. “Our bodies are our temples to the Lord.”

The event, which is free to the general public, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 27 inside the church’s activity center. The church is located at 2555 S. Engler Avenue.

“We have a facility that God has given us, which we want to use to help the community,” said Pastor Vince Harman. “We didn’t build it just for ourselves. We built it for others also.”

Brand said the event is intended to have something for everyone with specialized vendors, non-profits and other agencies that are in the business of wellness on-site to provide information about what services are available in the community.

Some of the vendors include nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted-living facilities, counseling services, orthodontics, dentistry, Crossroads Mission rehabilitation and Yuma Regional Medical Center — Silver Care.

With rows of booths, Brand said there will also be health screenings, handouts and much more, including Tai Chi, martial arts, Zumba and Jazzercise demonstrations.

It’s common for people to have concerns about their health — in that not having a healthy lifestyle could lead to increased health care costs, diminished ability to perform jobs, and possibly a shorter lifespan.

In addition to door prizes, free coffee, tea and cookies, and a bouncy house for the children, those who attend will be able to purchase a cup of healthy soup and breads made by the church’s Women in Mission.

There will also be a raffle for a hand-made quilt.

The event is being sponsored by the Health Ministry Committee of Christ Lutheran Church.

Pastor Harman said not only is the event a way to promote healthy living, but it is also a good way to promote the church’s ministry and that of its Yuma Lutheran School.