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Families strode into summer at East Lake Park
Henry County Public Health and partners provided education and fun activities to kick off summer
MT. PLEASANT — Families from all over Henry County and beyond learned about a variety summer safety, summer health, local resources, and summer activities as they strolled through East Lake Park Sunday afternoon for the third annual Stride into Summer Family Walk.
New this year, families made their way along the walk reading the story Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres with illustrations by Nadine Bernard Westcott on large, laminated signs provided by HJ Nugen Public Library of New London.
This story is a part of the library’s summer reading program which they shared about on a stop along the walk with Mt. Pleasant and Winfield’s public libraries.
As the families took in the story, they learned about a variety of vegetables and all the ways they grow up, down, and around before needing harvested. This story featuring healthy food fit right in with the whole intent of providing not only a healthy activity for families last Sunday, but a focus on summer health and safety.
The walk consisted of 14 different stations thanks to many organizations partnering with Henry County Public Health to provide not only education, but fan activities and give away items. Many partners from previous years returned to the walk this summer include Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and Henry County Iowa State Extension Office.
Henry County Iowa State Extension Office’s Sadie Martin also taught attendees about summer health as they made their way around East Lake Park. As participants approached her table she invited them to “Name that Produce,” as she talked with them about healthy food choices.
Mt. Pleasant Community School District Student and Family Advocate Martha Peterson, with the help of Junior Miss Mt. Pleasant Kara Hoover, also encouraged children to think about their food choices with an educational and interactive poster.
The MPCSD Wellness Policy poster outlined ways the school district prioritizes nutrition, physical activity, and other wellness goals. Then children were invited to share their ideas of their favorite healthy foods, how they stay active, and other ideas for wellness.
Other stops along the way like those hosted by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Department of Natural Resources focused on safety topics.
Law enforcement volunteers gave away over 150 bicycle helmets donated by Walmart and Blank Children’s Hospital All Heads Covered Program. They also completed approximately 130 child identification fingerprint kits.
Additionally, they raffled off five donated bicycles. Those participants will be contacted and announced later this week.
The Iowa DNR also set up a stop along the walk where they educated attendees on water safety. They also fitted children with life jackets and let them walk away with this added safety device.
Another safety station included April Riley from Henry County Public Health sharing about car seat safety. Among the information Riley shared was information on how to choose the correct car seat. To make an appointment for a car seat safety check anyone can call (319) 385-0779.
Henry County Public Health’s Mandi Morin and her puppet buddy told striders about swim wear safety and even gave away sunglasses. Morin and her pal encouraged swimmers to wear easier to see colors for swimwear. These colors vary according to the water swimmers dive into, however, the best colors for swimsuits in all settings are primarily vibrant colors such as neon green, hot pink, and bright orange. Most colors of these color types are much more visible in a pool setting versus a lake, so choosing a suit color wisely especially for lake settings is exceptionally important.
Some additional information provided by Morin included what to look for in sunscreen for kids and other forms of protection from the sun. Morin’s puppet pal showed off some of these alternative options with his swim shirt, swim trunks, and swim hat that help keep him safe from the sun. The duo also gave away sunscreen for those that stopped by their station.
Families and children that took the time to walk around East Lake Park Sunday afternoon not only walked away more educated on summer safety, health, activities, and local resources, but they also enjoyed activities like an obstacle course and basketball challenge.
With beautiful weather, a prime location, and plenty of stops in the shade, Henry County Public Health Community Outreach Coordinator Kelly Carr said the event went great.
“Everything went very smoothly,” she said. “We had the most attendance we ever had. We had about 450 people out there.”
Carr said she saw families from all over Henry County and outside the county attend the annual event that focuses on summer health and safety.
“We had a lot of families,” Carr said. “We had grandparents bringing their grandkids. Lots of multigenerational families. We are just so thrilled with the event.”
Carr reminds the public that this is a free annual event on the first Sunday in June, so, they can look forward to attending next year.
Until then, Henry County Public Health looks forward to seeing families at the Kids Day at the Henry County Fair where they will offer a healthy snack for those that stop by. At the end of the summer, they also will offer their Back to School Health Fair currently scheduled for Aug. 13 from 4-7 in Manning Hall at St. Alphonsus Church.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
