CLEARLAKE ? Wal-Mart hosted its annual Health and Safety Faire on June 13. Local agencies collaborated to bring the community information regarding the various resources available in the area.
Information pertaining to healthcare, youth services, fire safety and proper vehicle maintenance was extended to guests. Event participants included Lake County Fire Protection District (LCFPD), CalFire, US Forestry Service, Friends of Safe House, Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, Volunteers in Policing (VIP), Healthy Start and Wal-Mart.
“Everyone was wonderful. We had visits from Smokey, McGruff and Sparky,” Eileen Daniels, Wal-Mart safety team leader said. “We enjoy hosting this health and safety faire every year in June. It”s a chance for Wal-Mart to further its relationship with the community. Next time we”d like to focus on boat and water safety.”
Daniels continued, “Besides the fire trucks, I think the best thing was the Moose Lodge.”
Moose Lodge members Byron Blackwell and Yvonne Scott offered free infant neck braces, an effort started by Blackwell earlier this year. A total of 45 neck braces were given to guests on Saturday. Blackwell said since the program”s inception in February, the Moose has donated 68 neck braces to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for newborns leaving the hospital.
“We”re trying to expand the program to include Sutter Lakeside,” Blackwell said. “Moose lodges in our district are going to try to do it as well so it will be a district wide thing.”
The big hit of the day, especially with the children, was the fire response equipment that was displayed by LCFPD, CalFire and the US Forestry Service. “The kids liked going through the trucks and getting a grand tour of the engine,” Michael Fobert, US Forestry tech said.
The U.S. Forestry Service provided information related to actions before, during and after a wildfire. “Our whole mission here today is to give people information on prescribed and wildland fires, the before and the after,” Mark LaBrash, assistant fire engine operator said. “And the kids learned that Smokey the Bear is a tool for us to teach them how to be safe in the forest.”
Fire safety information focused on evacuation tips, what to do if you get trapped, proper maintenance and defensible space, home safety, pet and livestock evacuation and what to do before, after and during a wildland fire. Guests also received information on how plan a home fire drill and how to clean up and salvage after a house fire.
VIPs from the Clearlake Police Department provided the public with finger printing kits as part of its child safety program. They also offered valuable information regarding how to keep your children safe when using the Internet.
St. Helena Hospital Clearlake representatives were appreciative of the opportunity to showcase many of the new services at the facility and within its service area. They said they received favorable response from the public.
“People were excited to hear about the new ER and the new doctors that have been brought on board. People were excited to about the new cancer center at St. Helena that”s opening this fall and the new clinic that recently opened up in Kelseyville,” Peggy Foster and Debbie Mulcahy said. “We got a lot of positive feedback about all the changes that are happening and we are thankful to be a part of this community.”
Friends of Safe House representatives were also on hand providing information about the county”s first safe house for displaced youth. The program offers up to 30 to 45 consecutive days of safe, appropriate shelter in a home-like, secure setting with clearly enforced rules. Several assistive services are offered onsite to help youth with the various struggles they may be facing. Onsite services include drug and alcohol counseling, treatment and prevention education including one-on-one, group and crisis counseling; parenting skills classes and support such as “Nurturing Parents;” individual, family and group counseling services (as appropriate) to youth that can include parents, guardians or other family; and “wraparound” services for child and family to heal and unify the family when it is safe for the youth. For more information regarding the Safe House program call 994-4076 or 995-3235.
Wal-Mart associates offered information pertaining to proper tire inflation and Healthy Start offered information about its Pal Program.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
