Halloween Health and Safety Fair Helps Children and Families Learn While Having Fun

Event Includes Costume Contest, Teddy Bear Clinic

For some kids, Halloween might be a scary occasion. For many more children, visiting the doctor’s office or being in the hospital is even more frightening. To help make any of those events less frightening, Washington Hospital is hosting a free Children’s Health and Safety Fair on Saturday, October 31. The event is co-sponsored by UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, which has a strategic relationship with Washington Hospital to create a comprehensive, integrated regional health care network.

“We offer this special fair every other year to educate children and their families about health and safety issues in a fun way,” says Washington Hospital Community Outreach Project Manager Lucy Hernandez. “One of the highlights of the event is the Teddy Bear Clinic, with pediatricians from Washington Township Medical Foundation providing ‘check-ups’ for children’s teddy bears and other stuffed animals. Dr. Amy Tun and Dr. Bhaskari Peela will examine the stuffed toys, showing their young owners how to use a stethoscope, examine the eyes and ears and perform other aspects of a medical exam. That way, children can learn that seeing a doctor doesn’t have to be scary.”

The fair is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Conrad E. Anderson, MD Auditorium, located in the Washington West Building at 2500 Mowry Avenue in Fremont. In addition to the Teddy Bear Clinic, the fair will offer a Halloween costume contest with prizes for the most original, the scariest and the cutest costumes in three age groups: age 3 and under, age 4 to 6 and age 7 to 11. The costume contest takes place at 12:30 p.m., but families can come to the fair any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“The Children’s Health and Safety Fair also offers parents the opportunity to learn about various community resources to help them keep their children healthy and safe,” Ms. Hernandez notes. “For example, Washington Township Medical Foundation representatives will offer information about health and wellness concerns. Washington Hospital’s Food and Nutrition Services Department will provide refreshments and offer advice for fixing healthy snacks ‘on-the-go.’ Experts from our Outpatient Diabetes Center will be on hand to provide information on the growing incidence of diabetes among children and the importance of diet and exercise in avoiding and managing diabetes.”

The fair also will have information about various parenting classes at Washington Maternal / Child Education Center, such as:

• Big Brother/Big Sister to help siblings three years or older prepare for the arrival of a new baby,
• CPR for Family and Friends,
• Mastering Multiples ?for parents expecting twins or more, and
• Baby ‘n’ Me Support Group? to ease the transition into parenthood.

Numerous other community support groups and government agencies also will have booths at the fair with information and giveaways. Some of these organizations include:

• The City of Fremont Recreation Department, which has a Youth Recreation Center for children and teens that provides activities such as fencing, golf, ice-skating and rock climbing.
• The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program for low-income families.
• Rockin’ Jump, the “ultimate trampoline park” in Fremont.

The Oakland A’s baseball team’s mascot, “Stomper” the elephant, and “Reggie” the raccoon, the City of Fremont’s mascot, will both be available for photo opportunities with children attending the fair.

“The goal of the fair is to promote good nutrition, physical activity, healthy living and child safety in a fun environment,” Ms. Hernandez emphasizes. “The event is always so much fun. It’s great for those of us taking part in the fair to see those ‘aha!’ moments when kids learn new things that will help them lead healthier lives.”

To register to attend the Children’s Health & Safety Fair on October 31, or for more information, visit www.whhs.com and click on the link for “SEE ALL EVENTS” under the “Upcoming Events” heading on the home page. Registration at least one day before the event is strongly encouraged so that the various participating organizations will know how many people to expect.

If you need help finding a personal physician for your child, visit www.whhs.com and click on “Find Your Physician” at the top of the home page.