LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – For the children of Lake Havasu, another summer vacation will come to an end in just three and a half weeks. The past two decades, of the Havasu Community Health Foundation’s Back to School Health Fair has helped parents, students, and children prepare for the upcoming academic year. Operating under their health and wellness program, the well-being focused nonprofit’s yearly fair has always been filled with a wealth of information that encourages more than just educational success.
A surprise for this year’s gala will be the children giving attendees an energetic dance show full of entertaining moves. Organized by Gems Assisted Living owner Vilma Urbina, the community will get the opportunity to see some performing arts skills from four different teams; Grace Arts Live, Arevalo Academy MMA, Beyond Dance, and Elite Cheer Athletics. The Health Foundation’s business manager Claudia Betancourt feels this addition to the fair will boost the expo’s presentations. “These performances will enhance the entertainment and lively spirit of the fair,” Betancourt said.
The charity’s manager also added that the yearly informative gathering will have over 60 vendors and based on the attendees of last year’s occasion, she anticipates visitors ranging in the hundreds. “Approximately 500 people, including parents, typically attend the back to school fair.” The Lake Havasu Police Department will be there displaying their famous Bearcat vehicle, while the rotary club will be giving away helmets for students that commute to school by bicycle. There will also be a raffle drawing held by Republic Services for two bikes.
Havasu Regional Medical Center’s Dr. Hindman will be the pediatrician to approach at the event’s ‘Ask a Doc,’ and even local mascots from various schools will be making an appearance as they introduce themselves to the youth and parents. Offering their healthcare expertise, the event will have physical and care representatives with participating vendors like Milemarkers, Lake Havasu Eye Care, Frontier Skin and Cancer, plus many more. The back to school gala will give attendees opportunities to explore free developmental screenings, vision exams, haircuts, dental tests, physicals, and immunizations.
This event will be free to the public, with Sunrise Rotary serving breakfast, the 19th annual Back to School Health Fair will be held on Saturday, July 18 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Lake Havasu Aquatic Center, 100 Park Avenue. As the last two months of summer still linger in the air, Healthy Striders of Havasu will have the Aquatic Center’s pool open for swimming to the first four hundred families after the event has ended. Betancourt says the fair’s ongoing success and large turnouts benefits both parents and children. “We organize this annual event for the community offering free health screenings, resources, and services essential for school readiness. All screenings are provided by the Regional Center for Border Health, one of our sponsors. School supplies will be available and the Clothes Closet will distribute school shirts, shoes, socks, water bottles, backpacks, and other items to families in need, while supplies last,” Betancourt said.
