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Now
in its tenth year, WGVU KidsDay is a popular event
for parents and kids. Sponsors
of this event, including our local “Rx for Survival” coalition,
had booths that provided information, fun activities,
and “giveaway” items.
Attendance at this
year’s event was just under
8,000, which included children, parents, grandparents,
and school groups. Our “Rx
for Survival” booth was among the most popular
of all of the booths, events, and activities.
The best thing about
our first event was that it demonstrated to our coalition
that children and adults alike are receptive and even
eager to hear and learn about health issues and preventative
measures and or interventions. This first event gave
us the motivation and energy to move forward with subsequent
events, and provided our coalition with tips on how
best to engage our public. People
who visited our booth asked many questions about the
upcoming series and the handouts and several shared with
us stories about dehydration and other health issues
they have experienced.
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Six organizations participated in this event, including
our coalition, From Surviving to Thriving, The
Muskegon (Michigan) Dental Society, Muskegon County Health
Department (Rx partner), Muskegon Community
Dental Coalition, Hackley Community Care Center, Muskegon
Family Care, Muskegon Community Health Project (Rx
partner).
Several health topics were highlighted
at this event, included oral hygiene, nutrition, assistance
for the underserved, and the "Rx for Survival" campaign.
The "Rx for Survival" initiative tied in extremely
well to this "Dental/Health Screening" event,
during which over 150 children received a free dental
screening, health information, and were entertained by
Ronald McDonald and Bozo the Clown. Three dentists
in private practice, as well as several hygienists from
a local Jr. College program provided the expertise and
were also joined by outreach educators and health experts
from the local health department.
Our "Rx for
Survival" booth was a big hit. In
addition to providing tool kit literature in both English
and Spanish, the "yellow ribbons," gift envelopes
and educational fun giveaways for the children, the Rx
for Survival promo reel was played and questions
answered. There
were several inquiries about the upcoming series.
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From Surviving to Thriving participated
in this all campus event, which drew several hundred
students, staff and faculty members who were treated
to displays by many cultures presenting their educational,
cultural, culinary, and musical highlights.
Our local global health coalition had
a booth that provided literature, health tips, and a
preview of the PBS series.
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The Alternative Christmas Market was
put on in conjunction with Alternative Gifts International,
celebrating their 20th anniversary with a global mission
to send authentic, life-giving gifts to a needy world
to nourish and sustain a more equitable and peaceful
global community. Several hundred attendees made
contributions during this event, which raised money
for a wide variety of projects, initiatives and people
by inviting direct “gift giving.” Instead
of buying a traditional gift for someone, attendees
contributed to such opportunities as purchasing a share
of crisis relief in Pakistan or Louisiana in the name
and honor of someone they love. “From Surviving
to Thriving” encouraged gifts directly to the
national “Rx for Survival” fund administered
by Care, Save the Children, and UNICEF.
The event in a bazaar-type atmosphere included a broad
variety of projects and people to support, food and
coffee, live animals and exotic birds to pet and enjoy,
tables and booths featuring local, national, and global
causes, and live entertainment.
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Click
the image
on the right to see the
Event Insert Card |
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In March, the entire Grand Haven High
School, some 2000 students, viewed a clip from the
PBS series, Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge.
Then a National Honor Society chapter representative
announced a “class competition” for donations
to the “Rx for Child Survival Fund.” Some
100 jars, one for each classroom and meeting area,
with an "Rx for Survival" label were
set up to collect donations. The class that collected
the most money was treated to a pizza party, followed
by treats for 2nd and 3rd place winners. The
real winners, of course, are the children who will
benefit from 100% of the money raised. 2nd place
winners received donuts, and 3rd place received candy
bars. In preparation for the event, posters were
hung all over the high school.
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Dr. Sharon Hyrnkow, Acting Director
of the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes
of Health, spoke at Aquinas College as part of the
World Affairs Council “Great Decisions Series.” Dr.Hyrnkow’s
address was "Global Health Pandemics and Security:
Preparing for The Worst." Jon Jellema, Associate
VP for Academic Affairs at GVSU and board member of
the World Affairs Council, presented opening comments,
including a description of the Rx for Survival local
coalition project.
Signage was present in the lobby and onstage, promoting
both the Rx for Survival project and the upcoming
April 12 broadcast of Rx for Survival: The Heroes.
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From 7 to 9 p.m. at Lakeshore
Middle School in Grand Haven, “Sneak Peek to Summer,” a charity
fashion show fund raiser was held for the "Rx
for Child Survival Fund." Upward of 100
people attended with tickets priced at $5 for adults
and $3 for students. 100% of the proceeds went
directly to the “Rx for Child Survival fund.” Attendees
enjoyed desserts and beverages donated by area businesses. Several
local clothing stores donated the fashions that were
modeled by high school, middle school and elementary
school children. A few toddlers even got into
the act!
Fay Augustyn, President of the National
Honor Society, served as MC for the evening, with opening
comments about the Rx for Survival Campaign delivered
by Steve Chappell, WGVU grant writer and project manager
for this initiative. The
event received coverage in the Grand Haven Tribune.
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For information on upcoming
events, visit our Calendar! |
These West Michigan organizations
are part of the national Rx for Child Survival campaign. |
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Rx
for Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ is a Co-Production
of the WGBH/NOVA Science Unit and Vulcan Productions, Inc. Rx
for Child Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ is a
project of WGBH Educational Foundation and Vulcan Productions,
Inc. in collaboration with CARE and Save the Children, and in
association with the Global Health Council and UNICEF. ©/™
2005 WGBH Educational Foundation and Vulcan Productions, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. All third party trademarks are owned by their
respective owners and used with permission. Major funding for
Rx For Survival—A Global Health Challenge is provided by
the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Merck Company
Foundation. |
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