Back To School Health Education Fair Fun for Children and Families

WASHINGTON (Aug. 21, 2012) – All around the District of Columbia, some children are waiting anxiously for this weekend. 

That’s when more than 1,000 fortunate D.C. youngsters will receive new backpacks loaded with school supplies at the “Back to School Jamboree and Health Education Fair” Friday at United Medical Center, 1310 Southern Ave. SE, and Saturday at Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Ave. NW.

The events, which are free and open to the public, will include health screenings and workshops, cooking demonstrations and healthy eating workshops, food, entertainment and lots of fun.

The health education fair has been held in the city before, but this year it is being held on two days in different parts of the city to include more families.  Each fair will give away 500 backpacks loaded with school supplies.

One of the lead organizations for planning this event is the United Planning Organization

“The United Planning is excited to be a proud partner of this year’s Back to School and Health Jamboree all in an effort to help families and students healthily jump start the new school year,” said DeAngelo M. Rorie, director of the Youth Services Division for the organization.

Cynthia Livingston, director of the Department of Community Services at Howard University Hospital, said the students will receive the backpacks after they have completed a number of health screenings and attended some important information sessions, like the one on bullying.

“There are lots of fun events for adults and children, but the real purpose of these events is to drive home the message of healthy living,” Livingston said.

Medical clinicians will provide dental, hearing, speech and wellness screenings, examinations vital for young children, Livingston said.  There will also be screenings for diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell, cholesterol and other medical concerns. 

The Metropolitan Police Department is also one of the many co-sponsors of the event. 

“We’re happy to help this event,” said Lendia Johnson, a community outreach coordinator for the Metropolitan Police Department.  “This is something that is good for children and good for families.

Also sponsoring the event are the United Planning Organization, United Healthcare, Chartered Health Plan, Walmart, PNC Bank, WHUR 96.3 FM, the D.C. Department of Health, Health Services for Children with Special Needs and Childen’s National Medical Center.

For more information, call DeAngelo Rorie at 202.610.0466, Cynthia Livingston at 202.865.4238, Lendia Johnson at 202.698.1454 or Felecia Stovall at 202.724.2315.