Wellness event planned
Published 10:28 pm Thursday, August 25, 2016
An event this Saturday will encourage families to get and stay healthy mentally and physically.
The Western Tidewater Community Services Board will hold its third annual Spring into Wellness Fair and Back 2 School Blast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Suffolk Department of Social Services, 135 Hall Ave.
The event used to be called Mental Health Awareness Day, said Brandon Rodgers, administrator of program and service development for the community services board.
“This year, we wanted to broaden the scope to overall awareness,” Rodgers said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to provide an alternative activity and something healthy for families to engage in.”
The event is free and will feature a healthy lunch and snacks, raffles and live music. Activities will include inflatables, rock climbing, music, line dancing, coloring and crafts, vendors, backpacks and more.
Guest speaker Seneca Bock, founder of Community Capacity Builders, will speak about opportunities available through the Affordable Care Act and other health and wellness topics, Rodgers said.
Other activities include a bungee run, obstacle course, rock wall and more.
Additional community partners on site will include a crisis intervention officer from Suffolk Police Department, Suffolk Fire and Rescue, Agape, Impact Family Services, Providence Psychological Services, Suffolk Department of Social Services, Family Insight, Nurse Family Partnership, Renaissance Family Services and others.
Rodgers said the community services board is expecting a big crowd.
“I think in past years, we’ve averaged right around 300, but we’ve increased some exposure,” he said. “I’m hoping to break 500 individuals, if not higher than that.”
The planned rain venue is King’s Fork Middle School.