CALLAWAY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – After Covid kept many isolated, the city of Callaway, with some help, thought it needed to promote health.
“We really had to create a kind of situation where we can get people out, where they feel safe, but more importantly, they can see exactly what kind of risk factors they might have been exposed to by not having a lot of activity in their lives” , says Liz Hunt, owner and operator of Anytime Fitness in Callaway.
And one of the best ways to stay healthy is fitness.
“It’s really just wellness,” Hunt said. “You know if people don’t come out and maybe they can’t see their GP for several months, what do we do now to prevent someone from having a cardiovascular event?”
And so the Callaway Cares Health Fair was born.
“Yeah, it’s a big advantage to be able to maybe get to one place and have all your needs met,” said Callaway Fire Department chief David Joyner. “A place to point you in the right direction, if you need it.”
Providing people with many opportunities to monitor their overall health.
“We had the proposal to bring in people to check blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, all kinds of different screenings for skin care, well-being, balance and fall assessment by a physical therapist,” Hunt said.
Vendors sold everything from fruits and vegetables to local honey and kids got the chance to train as firefighters
“We set up the agility for kids,” said Chef Joyner. “Children drag the dummy, pull the hose, spray the water.”
And those who organized the event say it was a success.
“It’s just really great that we have this opportunity to just see where people are, meet them where they are, and provide a wellness solution for whatever they need,” Hunt said.
The hope is that the health fair will come back every year.
“I’m so excited and so excited for next year because I think it’s going to be even bigger,” said Kylee Trenholm, events coordinator for City of Callaway.
All in a way to help others live their best lives.
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