In The NewsHealth is Fair Game at Tower St.
Originally printed in The Westerly Sun
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Author: Emily DupuisWESTERLY - Nancy McBride distributed child-size, colorful bicycle helmets. And the Westerly Fire Department handed out shiny, red plastic hats.
But Tower Street School's annual Family Health and Safety Fair was about a lot more than headwear.
In its 10th year, the Saturday event drew more than 90 families in two hours and mixed health, wellness and safety education with child-friendly animals and activities.
"We're promoting health and wellness knowledge and what's available in our community," said parent liaison Mary Kay Patten, one of five members of the school's Family Engagement Committee. Overall, roughly 30 community groups participated in the fair, offering literature and samples of their services.
Mary Lou Serra, coordinator of the Westerly Substance Abuse Task Force, distributed brochures about underage drinking and substance abuse as well as a survey about habits and perceptions.
"I'm hoping that the parents get more out of it," she said.
Adults received free blood pressure checks from the Westerly Ambulance Corps and cholesterol profiles from The Westerly Hospital.
"A couple of people realized their blood pressure was high and we referred them the doctor," said Vice Commander Dennis Mello, joined by EMT Jamie Anderson.
Children were allowed, outside the school, to climb inside an ambulance rig. Young attendees were also drawn to the fire-belly newt, guinea pig and a Degu - a small, South American rodent - on display by the Pet Safari.
Valerie Faulise, owner of the Main Street pet store, said, "We're here and we can have fun and educate at the same time."
She and Westerly Animal Control Officer Thomas Gulluscio provided tips for pet owners.
"We're trying to educate the best we can with limited resources," Gulluscio said, providing copies of animal-related town ordinances.
Thanks to the generosity of area residents, McBride was able to hand out about 30 bicycle helmets to children within the fair's first two hours.
"We're making sure the kids are sized and educated," said McBride, whose life was saved by a helmet during a bike accident on Oak Street in October.
Across the school's gym, officials from the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, which has an office on Pierce Street, and Day One, a Providencebased sexual assault and trauma resource center, discussed bullying and domestic violence prevention. Dawn Mitchell-Winters, the mother of one Tower Street student, said she found that particularly timely in light of news that hip-hop musician Chris Brown allegedly assaulted pop star Rihanna.
"It's great," she added of the fair. "They always do a wonderful job?. I like how they mix the fun with information."
Saturday's other participants included the Westerly Police Department, American Cancer Society, Ocean Community YMCA, McQuades Marketplace, Families Learning Together, Rhode Island Parent Information Network, Bradford Jonnycake Center of Westerly and Rhode Island Operation Lifesaver, which focuses on railroad safety.
The fair was organized by the Tower Street School Family Engagement Committee, comprised of Patten, Claudia DeBernardi, Scott Way, Kathy Fandetti and Kim Perkins.