Today, Hempstead Hall was filled with members of the community who showed up to the Family Health Expo to learn about healthy living. A happy surprise for them, though, was that they got to have a little fun and receive prizes while doing so.

The expo, hosted by the Hempstead County Wellness Alliance, allowed participants to receive services like blood pressure checks from Pafford and UAHT nursing students, (Pafford provided blood sugar screenings, as well) vision and hearing screenings from Hope Public Schools, booster shots and vaccines from Cabun Rural Health, and more. Attendees also obtained educational info about various aspects of living a healthy lifestyle, but with a fun twist, since many booths had gifts, games, or hands-on activities to assist with the relay of information. For example, one of the booths from the University of Arkansas Research & Extension Office had a blacklight tent that expo patrons could enter and see a simulation of the amount of germs on hands. Those representatives also had an exercise bike that simultaneously mixed a smoothie while spinning the pedals. Civitan was there to lend a hand with demonstrations. The Hempstead County Health Unit had a Jeopardy game with questions and answers about the dangers of vaping. During the youth session, the Farm Bureau Women's Committee displayed a life-size model cow and taught the kiddos the correct process for milking.

So many health-related businesses and organizations turned up to participate in this community expo and provide valuable contributions for promoting a healthy lifestyle that booths were spread out all over Hempstead Hall. (The full list of participating businesses and organizations can be found below.) In addition to providing their services, they all gave out gifts and prizes: first aid kits, toys, pens, bags, cups, hand sanitizer, chapstick, stickers, toothbrushes, books, games, snacks, and much more. Corporal Justin Dean from the Hope Police Department gave out popsicles along with the HPD safety pamphlets and other prizes. Child Care Aware allowed patrons to make their own fun toy in addition to providing info about their organization. Arkansas Game & Fish and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers were also on the scene, handing out small trinkets while teaching participants important safety information. Expo guests who visited every booth had their names entered into a drawing for door prizes.

Alliance co-chair Deanna Gilbert (Hope Public Schools) said the expo today was a great example of the group's mission. "Our goal was to bring all these health elements together in one place so people could receive services and learn," Gilbert said. "We also wanted to make it an enjoyable event for the community so they could see that being healthy can also be fun." Co-chair Deanna Allen (Kindred at Home) elaborated further by saying, "Events like this provide education to children, elderly, and all ages to help them take control of their lives so they can keep themselves healthy."

While Hempstead Hall began to clear at the end of the expo, guests could be seen leaving with bags full of goodies and big smiles, affirming the overall message from the Hempstead County Wellness Alliance and the many participating health-related businesses and organizations: living a healthy lifestyle can be fun and enjoyable!

• Arkansas Game & Fish

• Hempstead County Farm Bureau Women's Committee

• Hope Public Schools

• Arkansas Department of Health

• Southwest Arkansas Arts Council

• GirlTrek

• Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care

• Master Gardeners

• CADC

• Total Medical Supply

• Pafford Medical Services

• Hope Police Department

• Hope Fire Department

• Summit Community Care

• Kindred at Home

• Kindred Hospice

• Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health Center

• Harbor House

• RAAD

• Cabun Rural Health Services

• Engaging Arkansas Communites

• First Choice Pregnancy Center

• UAHT Nursing Program

• Smiles Dental

• Child Care Aware

• Ross and Shoalmire, PLLC

• Domestic Violence Prevention

• UAMS OPAL

• Area Agency on Aging

• Wadley Regional

• UAMS Texarkana Reg, Center of Aging

• The Barnette Agency

• The Gardens I/RCF