POTTSTOWN PA – National Health Center Week, an annual observance of accomplishments at America’s health centers, is being observed through Saturday (Aug. 10, 2024) by Pottstown-based Community Health & Dental Care Inc (CHDC). Several activities and a Friday (Aug. 9) health fair are planned.
Community Health & Dental Care, which opened in 2008, is designated as a federally qualified health center. It receives annual funding from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. CHDC operates several offices in Pottstown, Boyertown, and Barto.
“National Health Center Week is a wonderful time to celebrate all the great work that community health centers like CHDC have accomplished” says Kirsten Groff, the center’s marketing and events director. “It has been incredible to watch our week-long celebration and health fair grow throughout the years.”
Each day of National Health Center Week is dedicated to a particular area of focus, the center said. Throughout the week, it intends to showcase how the center provides high-quality health care, improves health outcomes, and narrows health disparities.
About Friday’s health fair
The week-long celebration ends with the rain-or-shine Friday health fair, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center’s Coventry Mall location, 351 W. Schuylkill Road. It’s open to the public at no charge, is suitable for all ages, and presents the center’s departments and staff as well as more than 30 community partner organizations and agencies.
The fair includes health information, an array of community resources, give-aways, activities for kids and adults, free health screenings for blood pressure, backpacks for students heading back-to-school. A hundred backpacks filled with back-to-school supplies will be offered to any student under age 18 who needs one to start the school year.
Refreshments are offered too, including free flavored ice treats from Tropical Sno.
Everyone attending the health fair will receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win the center’s basket “filled with health goodies and cash prizes.” They will also have opportunities to earn additional raffle tickets by participating at tables and activities, or by bringing an item to benefit Pottstown’s Street Medicine Program.
Additionally, representatives of a non-profit law firm, Legal Aid of Southeast Pennsylvania, will be available with information on how to obtain free legal advice. They also can assist, at no cost to those who qualify, with wills and advance directives.
Sponsors make it possible
Community organizations participating in this year’s health fair include:
- Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation,
- Pottstown Hospital Tower Health,
- ACLAMO,
- Action Karate Royersford,
- TriCounty Active Adult Center,
- YWCA TriCounty,
- Pottstown Library,
- Boyertown Area Multi-Service,
- Pottstown YMCA,
- Montgomery County Community College, and others.
CHDC said its health fair week observance is being made possible by partner sponsors. They include the National Association of Community Health Centers, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, and UPMC Health Plan. Its community sponsors are TriCounty Area Federal Credit Union, Pottstown Hospital Tower Health, the TriCounty Community Network, and Walnut Woods. In-kind donations also are offered by Gabe’s, Wawa, Redner’s, Weis, and Kimberton Whole Foods.
Top photo © rawpixel, 123RF Free Images, used by Travels With The Post under license
Above photo provided by Community Health and Dental
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