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For Immediate Release
July 9, 2008

Health Fair in San Pierre

San Pierre Town Park was recently host to a well-attended health fair sponsored by CROPS (Center for Rural Outreach & Public Services, Inc.). The object of the fair, funded in part by HRSA (Health Resources Services Administration), was to offer a community event to the residents in and around San Pierre and to gather information that will be used to provide future outreach services.

Participants at the fair were Starke Memorial Hospital and Starke Home Health, Holm Medical Clinic, Purdue Extension, Fitness Forum Sports & Wellness, Starke County Community Services, HealthLinc, the San Pierre Fire Department and the ladies of St. Luke’s Church of Christ.   Boxercise demonstrations were given by youth from the International Boxing Club.  

While enjoying the beautiful day, fresh air and good food, attendees were able to benefit from services offered by the vendors that included not only blood sugar, blood pressure and blood oxygen levels tests, but bone density assessment, body fat analysis, flexibility, a most-relaxing chair massage, and health-related information.  The San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department had its newest truck on display and gave away smoke detectors.  Starke Memorial Hospital sponsored a bike raffle.  The winner is to be announced on Saturday, July 12, at the open house of their new medical office complex.

Data compiled from the health fair will be used in applying for an outreach grant that, if secured, would “expand access to, coordinate and improve the quality of essential health care services, while enhancing the delivery of health care in Railroad Township and surrounding rural areas that lie in Jasper, Pulaski, and Starke Counties.”

Beverly Santicola, from CROPS, is involved in applying for several different grants at this time that will benefit not only the residents in and around San Pierre, but also the 30,000 tourists that travel through San Pierre each year to see the mass gathering of the sandhill cranes at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. Grant proposals are in the works for trails and bikeways, landscaping and scenic beautification, repair of the historic WPA stone bleachers, basketball/tennis courts, and renovations to the San Pierre Lions Club building that will be used as a Community Education Center.

For more information, Beverly Santicola may be contacted at 866-843-3493 or info@ruralgrants.org.