Features Editor

Usually, health is not the first thing on the mind of elementary school students, but it was yesterday at Pike County Elementary School in Brundidge.

The school was the site of the first Fall Harvest Health Fair, which was sponsored by the Healthy Schools-Healthy Kids grant program.

Students in grades three through six and their parents were treated to a wonderful variety of health events that were fun and educational, said Terry Watkins, education outreach coordinator for Edge Regional Medical Center and Charles Henderson Child Health Center.

"Children were able to participate in activities related to health and nutrition, such as the fruit and vegetable walk, food pyramid bowling, Smoothie sampling, beanbag toss and fishing for the basic foods," Watkins said. "We also had a glow-germ demonstration that the students found fascinating. The activities were a lot of fun as well as educational."

A large number of exhibitors participated in the health fair in order for students and their parents to learn about the services available to them throughout the county.

Nurses from Charles Henderson Child Health Center discussed bicycle safety with the students. Dr. Regina Hendrix discussed the importance of good dental care and Dr. David Hamlin discussed eye care and eye safety.

Judy Boyd, a nurse practitioner with Dr. Ely Gordon’s office checked the students’ vital signs and Troy Health and Fitness showed the proper way to wear backpacks and explained the importance of exercise.

Other departments and agencies participating in the health fair were the Brundidge police and fire departments, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Pike County Health Department, the Pike County Extension Office, East Central Mental Health, Edge Regional Medical Center’s Home Health Department, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Colonial Bank-Brundidge, the Emergency Management Association, 911 and the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library.

The Pike County Volunteer Fire Fighters Association had the fire safety house set up for the students to tour and learn what to do in a variety of situations associated with house fires.

Watkins expressed appreciation to all of the exhibitors who helped to make the first Health Schools- Healthy Kids Program’s Fall Harvest Health Fair at PCES such a great success.

"Without them, and our many sponsors, this wonderful, learning event would not have been possible," she said.

Sponsors for the health fair were the Healthy School-Healthy Kids Program, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Brundidge United Methodist Church, Price Pharmacy, Dykes’ Drugs, State Farm Insurance, First National Bank of Brundidge, Winn Dixie, Food World, Garrett’s IGA, Wal-Mart, Moses Davenport, Twin Gables, Wallace Pump and Supply, K&D Chevron, Wayne Grant, Brundidge Florist, Mobley’s Business Service, Cookie Graham Bookkeeping, Steed Tire Service, Colonial Bank and South Alabama Electric Cooperative.

The Healthy Schools- Healthy Kids staff includes, Nancy Scott, project coordinator; Anita Johns, school nurse; Jackie Tuck, health specialist; and Betty Vance, Pike County school nurse.

The health fair was presented by CHCHC and ERMC.