On Saturday, April 23, after hours of planning, organizing and preparing, the 33rd annual Heartbeats Health Festival went off without a hitch. “To have a health fair for 33 consecutive years and have 600+ people attend is pretty amazing. It wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of several hospital departments, staff and volunteers,” commented Linda Garrity, Community Education Coordinator. “It’s a wonderful example of giving back to our community and I know they (the staff and volunteers) do appreciate the compliments and thanks we receive each year.”
This year’s theme was “Wellness in Bloom.” More than 600 individuals took advantage of the more than a dozen free or low-cost health screenings, as well as visited a number of the 40 vendors who were on-site for this year’s event. New to offered ser vices was advice and counseling on advance health directives and living wills, provided by Hancock’s hospice and palliative care department.
Hancock Regional Hospital volunteers ensured things ran smoothly. Dawn Earlywine, Program Director of Volunteer Services, commented, “The success of the event is due in no small part to the help provided by our volunteers, whether it is helping our visitors get to the right place, or providing golf cart rides to people leaving their cars in the parking lot, or just being a friendly face. Thanks to all 33 of our wonderful volunteers that helped with the Heartbeats Festival!