MANSFIELD – The Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center will host its 19th annual Minority Health Fair on Saturday, April 30, continuing a tradition of providing valuable services to the community.
Close to 40 different city and county agencies, from health businesses to nonprofits, will host vendor booths where the community can address various health issues and learn about services they may need. Geron Tate, a co-founder of the Health Fair, said people come from all over to the fair every year.
“We expect anywhere from 400 to 600 people,” Tate said. “It does attract quite a crowd of people who are in need of services and need the assistance, and that’s what we’re able to do.”
Starting at 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. the fair will offer free health screenings include cholesterol screenings, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, hearing and vision screenings, HIV testing and child developmental screenings.
Tate said the goal of the fair is to spread the message that wellness is important, particularly within the minority community.
“There are specific diseases that affect minority people, especially in the black community with prostate and colon cancer and diabetes, all of those things are very high,” Tate said. “Mammograms are one of our top priorities for next year because black women die more from breast cancer on the percentage than any other group of people.”
Along with health screenings, there are a number of other activities offered at this year’s fair. One new features is an “ask a pharmacist” booth, another is a PhD candidate from Kent State University conducting a focus group on health issues in the Mansfield community.
“He’ll write a report and we’ll get that information to prioritize for next year,” Tate explained. “He’ll be asking for 30 adults to participate, and each participant will receive a $50 gift card.”
The fair also offers activities for all ages. A children’s program with entertainment – even balloon animals – will provide a few hours of entertainment for the fair’s young attendees. Also a “senior corner” will provide an opportunity for the older generation to eat and socialize.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the fair, and many opportunities to win prizes. Tate said a grand prize of $500 will be given away, as well as 60 or 70 door prizes collected from the vendors present.
Above all, Tate hopes the Minority Health Fair meets the community’s needs at their level.
“I think we connect to the community because we’re in the community,” he said. “It’s a fun and enjoyable time, and I think people look forward to it. We’re looking forward to not only tomorrow, but we’re looking forward to the future as well.”
The Minority Health Fair will take place at the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center located at 445 Bowman St. in Mansfield. For more information, call Tate at 419-512-5487.
