GALION — When OhioHealth ED Nurse Melanie Mason, RN, first thought about organizing a community health and safety event, she never thought it would grow to the magnitude it has today.

Mason says her pastor at First Lutheran Church originally asked her about outreach ideas, and she ended up organizing a safety event in 2022 geared towards kids.

Three years later, she’s putting together a health and safety event with dozens of agencies and resources for all ages.

Community Connections Expo is Saturday, May 31, at Galion Middle School on 474 Portland Way North. Attendees can expect educational sessions from area health agencies, safety courses, senior citizen exhibits, dozens of fun activities for kids, contests and a car show.

“It warms my heart to see this grow to this scale, because as nurses and caregivers, all we really want is to see our community thrive and grow and stay safe and happy,” Mason said.

“I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve gotten from other OhioHealth associates and their families who’ve donated their time or money to make this event successful. We’re excited to bring health and safety education to our communities.”

Exhibitors at Community Connections Expo include:

  • Galion Fire Department
  • Iberia Volunteer Fire Department
  • Galion Police Department
  • Bucyrus Police Department, K9 Unit
  • Mansfield, Ohio AirForce Base #179th Unit
  • First Lutheran Church
  • Galion Library
  • Radiant Fitness
  • Grief Share
  • Gentiva Hospice
  • NAMI
  • Poison Control
  • OhioHealth
    • Trauma education – slips, trips, falls
    • Fire extinguisher safety
  • EZ ID/Safe Surfin‘
  • American Red Cross
  • Avita Home Health & Hospice
  • SCAT
  • Ohio Medicare Alert
  • Planetarium
  • God’s Little Acre Farmer’s Market
  • Lifewise Academy
  • Galion Royalty
  • Taylor’s Balloon Twisting
  • Cub Scout Pack 106
  • Marion-Crawford Prevention Booth
  • Galion City Health Department
    • Car seat education
    • Sexual Health education
  • CCSG (food assistance program in Crawford County)
  • and more

Activities for children include:

  • Balloon Twister
  • Face Painting, Crawford Center for The Arts
  • Bouncy House
  • Touch-A-Truck event
  • Bicycle safety course
  • Kid’s games with prizes
  • Bicycle give-a-ways
  • Photos with Elsa from Frozen and Sadie the Safety Panda
  • Planetarium
  • Food Trucks
  • DJ
  • Child IDs
  • Car seat checks
  • Fitness challenge by Radiant Fitness

There will also be a car show this year to support residents of Mill Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Galion, Ohio. Miller says proceeds from the show will go towards helping residents on a fixed income. Car show entries cost $10.

Community Connections Expo runs from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Everyone is welcome and the event is free.