Local health fair benefits Colorado County citizens

On July 23, Methodist Healthcare Ministries Wesley Nurse, Debora Shimek, along with representatives from Texas A&M AgriLife, Columbus Community Hospital, the Columbus Department of Health and Human Services, and Maximus Insurance, organized a countywide event to promote health and safety: Circus of Health.

The Colorado County event benefited parents and school age children with "health and safety information and demonstrations. Resources also included child safety seat checks, health screenings, dental checkups, emergency response instruction, as well as health and wellness facts. Backpacks, school supplies, bike helmets and T-shirts were given away to children present.

Shimek operated a health booth on behalf of Methodist Healthcare Ministries with information on the importance of breakfast. Other booths were set up by the Columbus volunteer fire department and the police department. A helicopter, which landed in the school's playing field, was brought on-site by Women's Hospital for children to view inside. Texas AgriLife presented children with the importance of seat belt safety.

Nearly 300 were in attendance for the morning event at Columbus Elementary School. "It was a very successful event for the community," said Shimek.