Come on down to Providence Professional Center on Scheuber Road Saturday, September 21 for Providence Centralia Hospital’s fifth annual Healthier Together event. Register online or call 360-827-8656.
Providence knows that knowledge is health power. This wellness fair is a wonderful opportunity to learn simple ways to get—and stay—healthy for life. The event aims to educate community members about important health and wellness issues and have fun in the process.
Preventive care is a vital part of health and wellness. Providence offers a variety of free screenings and preventive services during their community health fair including health screening information, primary care, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, and cholesterol checks. Diabetes educators will offer nutrition advice, along with information on chemical dependency, sexual assault, physical therapy advice, advance care planning and more.
While health and wellness are serious business, the health fair is also fun and engaging with activities for all ages. Health screenings, 5K fun run/walk, and more start at 8:00 a.m. All activities are free and open to the public.
“Providence is committed to the outcome of creating healthier communities, together, and we’re hoping people will join us for this fun event,” says Providence Centralia Site Administrator Kevin Caserta, M.D.
Run Amok Irish Running Club partnered with Providence for the Healthier Together event for the last four years, coordinating a 5K fun run/walk.
Founded by Fords Prairie Elementary School teacher Christine Chamberlain, Centralia’s Run Amok Irish Running Club’s season starts on the first Thursday after St. Patrick’s Day. The group meets until the last Thursday before Halloween. Runs start at 6:00 p.m. at O’Blarney’s Irish Pub in historic downtown Centralia. Routes alternate but always end with great food and fun back at O’Blarney’s. Many of the Run-Amokers are walkers, and the supportive group welcomes people of all fitness levels.
Partnering with Providence for a wellness event is a great fit for the running club. “Providence is so easy to work with; very friendly,” says Chamberlain. “Plus, they are doing what we are doing, which is promoting good health. That’s why we started Run Amok; we wanted the community to get together. That’s what Providence does. They really do so much for our community and that’s why we love to partner with them.”
“We knew Run Amok was a great organization,” says Senior Manager of Communication for Providence Southwest Washington Chris Thomas. “Providence wanted to focus on the health fair, while having someone with more expertise organizing the 5K and Kid’s Dash. It was a perfect fit to team with them on this event. We’ve had a great time working together – even in the rain, the one time we got unlucky with the weather.”
Rain or shine, the 5K is set up for competitive runners while remaining family-friendly for those with kids, pets and whoever simply wants to get out and exercise.
With great prizes and giveaways, the Healthier Together event is fun for everyone. After the adults run, stick around for the short Kid’s Dash at 10:30 a.m. This race is for children up to age 12. “The little kids come out and run which is always really fun,” Chamberlain says. “They always love it.”
Every participant receives a door prize ticket. Awards and ribbons are given to the top runners in several divisions. Adult prizes include Hydro Flasks, gift cards, and much more. “We have great prizes and giveaways,” Chamberlain says. “All our prizes are from our Run Amok sponsors. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Check-in and registration for the timed 5K begins at 8 a.m. with stretching and running advice from Providence physical therapists from 8:45 to 9:00 a.m. The run/walk starts at 9:00 a.m. Online registration is encouraged for planning purposes.
“The fact we have door prizes for anyone, not just competitive prizes, gives the event the right atmosphere,” says Thomas. “We hope everyone comes out – competitive runners, families, friends who’d like a nice stroll – and take advantage of all the free healthcare offerings.”
Providence Professional Center
1010 S. Scheuber Road
Centralia
Sponsored
