By John Brice
Correspondent
The H. Grady Bradshaw Chambers County Library in Valley hosted a Community Services and Health Fair on Friday, October the 21st. The event was organized by Library Director Mary Hamilton with more than 20 vendors participating who distributed information about local services, conducted health screenings and gave out complimentary gifts to attendees.
Inside the library there were a wide variety of tables staffed by the contributing organizations which included the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Chambers County Alabama Cooperative Extension System office, Auburn University Outreach – Rural Health Initiative for Chambers County, Bradshaw Chambers County Library and Cobb Memorial Archives, Chattahoochee Hospice, Christian Service Center, Circle of Care Center for Families, East Alabama Area Agency on Aging, East Alabama Medical Center and Lanier Nursing Home, East Alabama Mental Health, Family Guidance Center of Alabama (Kids and Kin Program), Hood’s Pharmacy, Interfaith Food Closet, Lee County Literacy Coalition, Southern Union State Community College Medical Assistant and Nursing Students, SUSCC Adult Education, Unity Wellness Center, Valley Community Center and Valley Pharmacy.
The first fifty attendees received a $5 Walmart gift card which was just one of the many free gifts provided to guests at the fair in what was humorously dubbed in promotions for the event as “trick or treating for grown ups”. There were back scratchers, squeeze toys, mentos, sticky note pads, pens, dry erase boards, measuring spoons, socks, memo pads, eyeglass lens cleaning cloths, tote bags, bottled water, candy, lollipops, travel size hand sanitizer, lip balm, beverage holders and drink coasters to name just a few.
Health assistance was also provided which included oxygen saturation screening courtesy of Lanier Nursing Home as well as mastectomy supplies and equipment from Hood’s Pharmacy. Medical assistant and nursing students from SUSCC checked blood pressure and glucose levels for those interested. Vaccination shots for flu, bivalent COVID, pneumonia, shingles and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis were given free of charge by Valley Pharmacy.
Each table was supplied with an abundance of pamphlets, booklets, flyers, leaflets and brochures chock full of information on an extensive range of topics related to healthcare, wellness, food donations, career guidance, 4-H activities, government programs, mental health support, nutrition, agriculture, financial management, youth development, clothing and household item donations for families in need, legal services, vaccination, hospice care, birth control, alcoholism treatment, substance abuse recovery, prescription medication discounts, caregiving for the elderly, childcare, breast cancer awareness, literacy, adult education, HIV testing and fitness.
Turnout was robust from the local community who benefited greatly thanks to the expert knowledge shared by the generous professionals who made the event a success by sharing their precious time and wisdom in addition to the material giveaways that were graciously distributed.