MANSFIELD, Ohio — Health, safety and wellness resources abounded at the Richland County Fairgrounds on Thursday for the Richland County Safety Council’s health fair.
Representatives of health facilities, fitness centers, along with several local businesses and organizations offered a variety of material and information to attendees.
Matt Call, vice president of the Richland County Safety Council, said the goal of this first-time event was to promote health, wellness and safety within the community. Approximately 70 vendors participated.
“We’ve had a tremendous committee that has spearheaded donations and obtained these vendors,” he said. “We’ve also had great support from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. They’re the ones who challenged safety councils about a year ago to promote more wellness within their constituency and we thought of this idea.”
Some vendors, like Spherion Staffing Services, promoted upcoming events. Spherion is again serving as the title sponsor of the Spherion Mid Ohio 13ER, a half marathon and 5K Fun Race.
Morgan George, a marketing assistant with Spherion, handed out fliers for the race, scheduled for Sept. 3.
“All of the race proceeds will be given to a grant through the Richland County Foundation and then from there it’s dispersed to all the different (local) organizations that are actively involved in drug prevention,” George said.
Kim Calhoon, a health educator with Richland Public Health, also promoted an upcoming event — the Winter Hike for Health. This self-guided event will take place Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at three different locations: Malabar Farm, Gorman Nature Center and the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail.
“We’d love for everyone to come out,” Calhoon said. “There will be snacks and hot drinks.”
The Mansfield YMCA also participated.
Elise Riggle, director of membership and marketing, said the goal was to promote the YMCA facility, as well as their programs for children and families.
“We have a February special where there is no joiner fee and there’s no payment for the month of February, so you could get 12 months at the Y for paying 11 months,” she said.
One of the area’s newest farm markets was also at the fair.
Jocelin Whitaker was there to introduce Whitaker’s Farm Market.
“We’re family-owned and we seek to get (products) from a lot of local family-owned businesses and work together as part of the community.”
She said she wanted to help make people aware that they have a local source for healthy, natural options.
“You can make healthy choices in your eating; it doesn’t mean that you become limited in the type of foods, it’s just making healthier choices for your snacks and for your meals,” she said.
Whitaker’s is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
