First Annual Tallahatchie Wellness Health Fair Carnival Set for May 7

The James C. Wellness Center at Tallahatchie General Hospital is hosting its First Annual Tallahatchie Wellness Health Fair Carnival on May 7 in Charleston, Mississippi.

The health fair is from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. inside the wellness center, and the carnival is from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. To enter the carnival, visitors must attend the health fair where wristbands are given out to get into the carnival for free.

The wellness center was dedicated in January of 2016 and founded in 2012 by then University of Mississippi doctoral student, Dr. Catherine Woodyard, in what started out as a study of the community’s health needs. Since then the wellness center has attracted many residents nearby to get healthy.

“The health fair carnival is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to come out and spend time together, receive a plethora of healthy living information and get to attend a spring carnival,” Woodyard said.

Workout equipment inside the wellness center.

Over 35 vendors will be set up inside the wellness center to provide everyone with free health screenings and other important health information. Door prizes and gifts cards will also be given away at the event.

“Screenings available for adults include: blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL and LDL), blood sugar, triglycerides, weight, BMI, metabolism and dental,” Dr. Woodyard said. “Screenings available for children include: various developmental screenings (e.g. ages and stages questionnaire, autism screening), hearing, vision, dental, weight and blood pressure.”

For kids, the carnival will have 6 inflatable jump houses, a petting zoo, a “Touch a Truck” display (including an ambulance, firetruck, farm equipment and a ranger), face painting, games and a popcorn machine.

“This is a very exciting community event and we hope to see you, your family and your friends there,” Dr. Woodyard said.

The “Pound” exercise class celebrates success at the wellness center.

A blood drive will also be set up at the event. The first 20 people to give blood will receive a $20 gift card and anyone who gives blood is going to be entered to win one of 10, $25 Wal-Mart gift cards; one of 10 free one-month memberships to the wellness center; two free t-shirts.

For those who cannot drive to the event, transportation will be provided from Glendora and Tutwiler areas. Partners in Development will be providing the transportation from Glendora. The van will leave Glendora at 10 a.m. and rides will be provided back from the event. The Tutwiler Community Education Center (TCEC) will provide rides to and from the event from Tutwiler and will also leave at 10 a.m. For more information on the Glendora transportation, call Patrick Magennis at 816-651-5562, and call TCEC at 662-345-8393 for Tutwiler information.

The wellness center was dedicated in January of 2016 and founded in 2012 by then University of Mississippi doctoral student, Dr. Catherine Woodyard, in what started out as a study of the community’s health needs. Since then the wellness center has attracted many residents nearby to get healthy.

Morgan Freeman at the grand opening of the James C. Kennedy Wellness Center. Morgan is a native and resident of Charleston, Tallahatchie County.

List of Vendors and Partners:

• James C. Kennedy Wellness Center
• Tallahatchie General Hospital (lab, screen team, dietary and therapy)
• Charleston Rural Health Clinic
• The Horizon
• Mississippi Department of Health
• Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance (TELA)
• Excel by 5
• Delta Health Partners
• MSU Extension Service
• Sleep Center of NSMC
• Sunflower Medical Equipment
• Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort (CARE)
• Early Years Network
• Sunflower Home Health
• MS Family Crisis Center
• Sun Sentinel Newspaper
• Charlie Whitfield Media
• Cross Fit Grenada
• Head Start
• Delta Health Collaborative
• Trout Valley Farm and Quail Preserve
• University of Mississippi Office of Student Health Promotion
• Magnolia Health Care
• MS Blood Services
• Delta Health Alliance
• Health Resources & Services Administration
• First Security Bank
• Jolly Jumparoos
• York Woods
• Roberson Dental
• Juice Plus
• Southern Care Hospice
• Tobacco Free Coalition
• SuperValu
• Charleston Elementary School
• Partners in Development
• Tutwiler Community Education Center
• Sassy’s Ponies

For more information regarding the First Annual Tallahatchie Wellness Health Fair Carnival, contact Dr. Catherine Woodyard at 662-625-7240 or at 501-276-5459 or email her at cwoodyard@mytgh.com.

Emily Newton is a staff writer for hottytoddy.com and the editor of Experience Oxford magazine. She can be reached at emily.newton@hottytoddy.com.

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