Health fair at Christian Light raises awareness

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More than 50 people turned out for the Long Beach Community Health Fair last weekend, an event aimed at raising health awareness and encouraging residents to practice healthy exercise and eating habits.

The July 23 event, hosted by the Christian Light Missionary Baptist Church, offered those who attended an opportunity to interact with local health professionals, obtain voluntary blood pressure, receive free cholesterol and vision screenings, and check out job opportunities from regional employers.

“The event was great for helping out some of the participating organizations,” said organizer Marcus Tinker, a community activist and a deacon-in-training. “The hardest part of it was the weather, because of the heat, a lot of people were running to the beach and it took away from the potential crowd we could have had.”

Attendees were given information regarding health issues such as heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, mental health, and substance abuse.

Some of the participants in the health fair included NuHealth Family Health Centers, South Nassau Communities Hospital, Fidelis Care, WellCare, United Healthcare, Planned Parenthood, American Red Cross, Sisters United In Health, the Nassau County Department of Health and the Nassau County Department of Social Services.

Some of the listed companies offered job opportunities at the health fair. The companies gave on-site interviews for jobs such as working with life insurance companies, sales jobs, hospital clinics, home nursing, nursing opportunities, and more.

“I felt the health fair was great,” said Cecil Garrett, deacon chairperson of Christian Light. “The event provided a lot of resources to the community and this is something that we will be looking to do more often at the church.”

Tinker said that the church hopes to hold the event twice a year — in the fall and spring — in order to attract a greater turnout.

“It has always been my desire and hope for my congregation and the community at-large to enjoy good health,” said the Rev. Isaac R. Melton Jr. “At Christian Light, we have a holistic ministry that seeks to offer salvation, a sound mind, and a healthy body.”