When Latricia Edmonds lost her job last month, she had already completed back-to-school clothes shopping for her two children. But with school starting soon, more supplies were needed.
Fortunately, the East Chicago single mother heard about the recent Health & Fun Fair at HealthLinc on Chicago Avenue.
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“They put a flier by my apartment complex,” Edmonds said, as her son and daughter lined up to receive new backpacks filled with school supplies. “It’s a relief for me now, not to have to worry about the pencils and notebooks. And so kind of them to think of the kids.”
One hundred book bags, donated by Anthem and MedWise, stood at the ready as children began filing in to the event, which was offered as part of National Health Center Week. HealthLinc employee Heather Alvarez assisted in the distribution.
The parking lot was full of activities — music by DJ Joweto’s Golden Oldies, a photo booth, face painting, balloon animals made by Jill the Clown, and Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Nichele Corley, HealthLinc enrollment and outreach specialist, manned the snack table with volunteers, giving out popcorn, cereal bars and water.
“This is our third year for this event, and attendance has grown each year,” she said. “We wanted to celebrate National Health Center Week with the fair, as well as introduce families to our services.”
Inside the building, various screenings and physicals were available, as well as vendors with various medical information.
Cindy Bradley, a radiology tech from St. Catherine Hospital, discussed with visitors osteoporosis, as she set dozens of pamphlets on her table.
“It’s important to get this information out,” she said. “The type of screenings we are doing today are important for people who don’t normally see a physician.”
Komeko Bender of East Chicago and her son, Kayden, 5, were one of the first families at the event.
“It’s important for all the kids to have the things they need for school,” Bender said, as her son proudly wore the new book bag he would be taking to kindergarten class at Carrie Gosch Elementary School. “This (kind of) event takes some pressure off the parents. It sure helped me stretch my budget.”
HealthLinc Community Health Center in East Chicago is one of six locations in Northwest Indiana offering primary care, dentistry, optometry, obstetrics, behavioral counseling and pediatrics. The company offers assistance with insurance options in either the marketplace, HIP 2.0 or traditional Medicaid.
For more information about HealthLinc’s six locations: 888-580-1060 or www.healthlincchc.org.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.