Don’t Miss Out! Attend a FREE Excel By 5 Child Health Fair – Saturday, June 15th, 2013 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Click here to view participating vendors
(GULFPORT, MS — June 4, 2013) - With an eye toward improving the lives of the next generation, the Excel by 5 program, a first-of-its-kind in the United States and Mississippi State initiative, is excited to host the 2013 Cruisin' to Kindergarten Health Fair on Saturday, June 15th, 2013 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Jones Park, Highway 90, in Gulfport.
The ultimate goal for Excel by 5 is to encourage communities to pull their existing resources together and support families as well as ensure that all children - from birth through age five - will enter kindergarten healthy, happy, and ready to be successful. "Over the past 12 months, coalitions of local area leaders involved in health, education, and public service groups have been evaluating the level of support that the City of Gulfport offers to families with children under five. The goal of this evaluation is to acquire an Excel By 5 certification as a city that will verify that the City of Gulfport is doing all it can to show families that our community wants to see their children and families flourish”, said Cynthia Minton Walker, Project Director for South MS PreK4Ward Initiative.
The most pivotal learning period in a child’s life occurs from birth until age five – and the Excel By 5 Cruisin' to Kindergarten Health Fair will add one more service to families that will allow children to arrive at kindergarten ready to learn and excel in school. “We hope families will take advantage of this free health fair. We have over 40 vendors scheduled to help run this event and there will be the opportunity for immunizations, with an administration fee of $13.00 per vaccine, health screenings that are age appropriate as well as health and safety advice for parents. We also have the Chick-fil-A cow making a special appearance!” said Ms. Walker. Some of the age appropriate health screenings include eye/vision, physical growth, hearing, speech and language. Other activities include health and fitness obstacle courses, proper hand washing techniques demonstrated by “Mr. Germ Glow” and families will be able to put their own home first aid kits together.
HCA’s Garden Park Medical Center, is serving as one of the lead sponsors for the 2013 Cruisin' to Kindergarten Health Fair. “We are thrilled to be part of this initiative! Excel By 5 will help the City of Gulfport harness and expand existing resources while also assisting in devising a plan to identify and eliminate deficiencies. At Garden Park Medical Center, we want to be involved in providing a child friendly community for all families”, said Angela Juzang, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Garden Park Medical Center.
Attend the Free 2013 Cruisin' to Kindergarten Health Fair on Saturday, June 15th, 2013 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Jones Park, Highway 90, in Gulfport. In case it rains, the health fair will be moved to Sunday, June 16th, 2013 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
To learn more about the 2013 Cruisin' to Kindergarten Health Fair or to schedule an interview with Cynthia Minton Walker, Project Director for the South MS PreK4Ward Initiative, please contact Angela Juzang, Director of Marketing and Business Development (228) 575-7110.