United Way, FM Kiwanis join to offer Back to School Health Fair

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG PCC EDITOR FORT MADISON - Two local service organizations are joining forces to provide Fort Madison with a Back-to-School health fair on August 12. The United Way of the Great River Region currently offers a similar program, but the location is prohibitive as it's in Keokuk and many families in Fort Madison don't have the transportation to get to the event. According to Dawn Johnson, one of the coordinators of the event, the transportation issue convinced her that an event was needed in Fort Madison. "Because of this restraint for our families, I have been trying to develop something here that would be more accessible," she said. "I was talking to my co-worker Mary Hellige about my desire to do something here, and wouldn't you know, she is a member of Kiwanis. She took the idea to the group and they agreed to sponsor the event." Johnson said Kiwanis President Denise Fraise and Kiwanian Nancy Booten have been part of the planning committee and the committee of four have been meeting and planning for a few months, organizing and contacting businesses and organizations in the community for assistance with the event.
The Back-To-School Health Fair will be held on August 12, 2017 at the Fort Madison Community High School from 10 am to noon. Some of the services being offered include haircuts, DNA swab, immunizations for students entering kindergarten and those who are 11-12 years of age, vision screenings, and tennis shoes. Many groups are going to be on location during the event to distribute information about things in the community that residents may not have previously known about. The group will also be giving out backpacks with most school supplies.
Flyers were sent home in grade card envelopes on Thursday, May 25th to explain this event. Any family who is in need of assistance with getting school supplies can pre-register at the Eichacker Center at 3433 Avenue O in Fort Madison as well as the Community Action Center. Only those who have pre-registered by July 10, 2017 will be guaranteed backpacks and supplies. For more information you may contact Dawn Johnson at660-341-6427.
"We are going to collect all materials and supplies by July 24th," Johnson said. "We are still looking for many volunteers to organize supplies and stuff backpacks and also need help during the event. We would also like any salon or hairdresser to help offer hair cuts if available that day. We are very fortunate that we live in such a giving and caring community, everyone to date that has been contacted has been wonderful in agreeing to help!"
Any organization or business that has not yet been contacted and would like to join the efforts, are being asked to email Johnson at dawn.johnson@fmcsd.org.
Back to School Health Fair, Fort Madison Community School District, Kiwanis, United Way of the Great River Region

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