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Annual Health and Safety Fair Connects Families with Resources
Reno, NV (April 21, 2011) - The Washoe County School District is collaborating with several community agencies in a "one-stop shopping" event for families on Saturday, April 23 at the Sun Valley Family Resource Center's annual Give Kids a Boost: Health and Safety Fair.
The Northern Nevada Immunization Coalition (NNIC), Safe Kids Washoe County, Virginia Palmer Elementary School, Rotary Club of Reno Sunrise and the Sun Valley Family Resource Center are collaborating to provide an educational experience and activities for families and children of all ages. At the fair, children between the ages of 0 and 18 can receive free immunizations, made available through the Washoe County Health District, and free booster seats from REMSA's Point of Impact program. Safe Kids Washoe County will provide other safety gear for children.
"In years past, the Give Kids a Boost Fair has proven to be a great opportunity for families to connect with health, safety and community resources, which they otherwise might be able to access," said NNIC director Heidi Hurst.
More than 35 community organizations will be represented at the Sun Valley Family Resource Center, located at 115 W. Sixth Ave. in Sun Valley. Several departments from the Washoe County School District participating in the fair include Virtual Pre-K, Volunteer Services, Emergency Management, School Police and Student Health Services, which is helping with the free immunization clinic.
Some of the booths will have on display exhibitor vehicles from the bomb squad and K-9 patrol, a DUI simulator and the Nevada Air National Guard helicopter. The District's School Police also will have its mobile command center and incident response vehicle, for which the WCSD partners with the Regional Transportation Commission, at the event.
"It's a great opportunity for the District to partner with community agencies that support our children," said WCSD emergency management director Chris Smith. "The actions that we undertake with each agency really help us. Maintaining and improving relationships with community partners helps us provide a better product for our students."
NV Energy also is sponsoring the Pinwheels for Preventions program, which will have on display more than 1,000 pinwheels honoring the importance of child safety. On Friday, April 22, volunteers will plant the pinwheels in the park outside the Sun Valley Family Resource Center to represent families that have received social services that might have prevented child abuse in the community. The pinwheels will remain throughout the fair on Saturday.
"This fair aims to 'boost' children's health, safety, development and literacy by bringing services to Sun Valley in an interactive, fun "one-stop shop" format," Hurst said. "While we have a great list of exhibitors, we are always looking to create new partnerships to help provide for our community."
Give Kids a Boost: Health and Safety Fair
Sun Valley Family Resource Center, 115 W. Sixth Ave., Sun Valley
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Media photo opportunities on Friday, April 22:
8 - 10 a.m. Planting of Pinwheels for Preventions program
Media opportunities on Saturday, April 23:
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Give Kids a Boost: Health and Safety Fair with 35 exhibits
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About Washoe County School District: The Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every child career and college ready.
For more information visit www.washoecountyschools.org. Follow us on Twitter at WCSDTweet.
Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89520
