Back to school health fair returns to Sonoma on Aug. 11

Free resources at annual event aims to help families prepare for new school year.|

For some parents, the end of summer signals a much-needed reprieve from the everyday shenanigans of their kids. But for many, the return to school is a hit to the pocketbook that many find difficult to absorb.

Recently, NBC News estimated that the average national cost for back-to-school supplies per student is $1,000. When the average low-income family reportedly consists of two to four children, that number can get quite high, quite fast.

When the Sonoma Valley Health Center (SVHC) recognized this community need four years ago, it sought to address the program with a Back To School Health Fair. This year, in association with Sonoma Valley Hospital, FISH (Friends in Sonoma Helping) of Sonoma Valley, La Luz Center, Hanna Institute, The Club at Maxwell, Sonoma 4Cs (Community Child Care Council), Dragones Latinxs of SVHS and Valley of the Moon Lions Club, SVHC will provide complimentary resources from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11.

Services include Tdap vaccines for those students entering seventh grade, fluoride treatments, vision and posture screenings, informational booths, health education and school supply giveaways. Entertainment and kids activities, such as Legos, face paint and puzzles, will be offered while parents are informed about health programs and recommendations. Healthy snacks and free food will also be available for on-the-spot consumption.

Back to School Fair Committee member and rising SVHS senior Jacquelyn Torres is helping to organize the event, and she feels strongly about its significance.

'This event was designed with the simple belief that all students should have access to school supplies and basic health services required for their education,' she said. 'Many people are not aware that for middle schools, in our district, it is required for students to get certain shots in order to register for school; unfortunately many families do not have access to this and this simple need consequently affects a student in the long run.'

Fair organizer and SVHC outreach and event coordinator Maricarmen Reyes said that the fair has grow rapidly over the past three years.

'During its first year, in 2015, the fair provided 175 backpacks, a number that has increased by 100 each year,' she said. 'This year, we are looking to provide at least 400 backpacks donated by Sonoma FISH in addition to an internal drive by Sonoma Valley Hospital. Many parents expressed their gratitude and how helpful it is with school expenses, especially when having more than two kids.

Torres, who is also a part of Dragones Latinxs, spearheaded a GoFundMe effort, through Aug. 3 at tinyurl.com/y9qb9eom. She is hoping to expand the services of the fair to include local students attending college.

'The Community Health Center would like to give Amazon gift cards for undergrads who are struggling in college, not having enough access to resources,' she said.

For more information about the drive and the fair or to find additional ways to assist, call SVCHC outreach and event coordinator Maricarmen Reyes at 939-6070 Ext. 112 or email events@svchc.org.

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