Home > Fair Promotes Health and Wellness in Suwannee County

Fair Promotes Health and Wellness in Suwannee County

The setting was Phillips Center at Advent Christian Village at Dowling Park (ACV). Tables covered with information about an array of services as agencies and resources lined the hallways and meeting spaces. It was the annual Suwannee County Health and Wellness Fair on March 31. This year’s event was sponsored by Advent Christian Village and Good Samaritan Center, ACV’s skilled nursing community.

The annual health and wellness fair continues to impact the county, as area agencies realize this type of event is a great way to meet the community, get the word out about their services, and to promote good health and wellness. Thirty-two organizations took part in this year’s event.

Health care providers, financial entities and organizations dealing with personal development from around the Suwannee Valley and as far away as Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida, brought information, services and resources to Dowling Park. Approximately 200 area residents attended the fair to take advantage of free blood pressure checks and cholesterol screenings. Participant organizations offered give-aways and materials to aid in providing information that could be absorbed when attendees returned home.

Two of the more popular activities were the free continental breakfast and signing up for the variety of door prizes, which were awarded throughout the event.

Wesley and Judy Willard, two Suwannee County residents who try to attend the health fair each year, remarked that the fair is good because it helps them to know what agencies are around and what is available to them.

Dr. Debra Griffin of Hearing Solutions, Inc. was one of the 32 participating organizations. “I love the energy and excitement in Dowling Park,” said Dr. Griffin of the fair attendees. “They have a zest for life.” Dr. Griffin was very pleased with the large turn out and the number of existing and potential clients who visited her during the event.

Since wellness is a focus of Advent Christian Village, the annual Health and Wellness Fair is a priority, because it brings good information directly to the hands of Suwannee Valley residents. It was a perfect match to co-host with Good Samaritan Center, which offers inpatient rehab, skilled nursing care, and memory care. Both entities are on the forefront of health and wellness in north Florida.