14 Jul Richmond Church to Host 11th Annual Health Fair
The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network had a booth at last year’s Macdonald Avenue Church of Christ health fair.
Story by Denis Perez-Bravo | Photos courtesy of Geraldine Wilson
The Macdonald Avenue Church of Christ will host its 11th annual “Unity in the Community” Health and Wellness Fair on July 26 from noon to 3 p.m. at 4709 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond.
The resource fair will provide health tips, discuss ongoing health issues, and offer health screenings for diabetes and hypertension.
Participants can find backpacks and school supplies, donated clothes and shoes, hygiene products, healthy refreshments, other giveaways and information about local services and programs. A children’s play area will be set up for youth.
This year, Mike’s Barber Shop returns alongside Ester the Barber, and Egypt the Barber will provide braiding services. Free haircuts and simple braiding will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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- Haircuts were provided at last year’s fair and will be offered again this year.
A bilingual San Mateo instructor will again teach Zumba classes as they did at last year’s event.
“If we don’t take care of our bodies, nothing else will fall in line,” said Geraldine Wilson, a Macdonald Avenue Church of Christ organizer.
Wilson started the event 11 years ago while in graduate school for mental health studies. She said she wanted to help improve the health of those around her.
“Plenty of church members have cancer or are recovering from heart attacks,” Wilson said.
The annual health fair has evolved from its core mission of improving community health into a resource fair addressing mental, physical, financial and spiritual well-being.
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- Various organizations had booths set up at last year’s fair with information on health resources like Kaiser Permanente’s Senior Advantage plan.
Shukura Lattier, 39, serves as health and wellness coordinator for Fierce Advocates, which is sponsoring the event for the first time this year.
Lattier, a member of the church, has witnessed how environmental factors contribute to community health problems. Her mother is a two-time cancer survivor.
She said her mother’s lifelong Richmond residency has exposed her to industrial pollution that causes health problems. Other congregation members, like other Richmond residents, suffer from asthma and other conditions linked to Chevron’s operations, Lattier said.
That’s why she has participated in this event many times before to advocate for preventative health.
She said Richmond has many health resources, but access may be blocked by lack of knowledge about where to find them. She urges the community to participate in health initiatives to create healthy habits.
“Even if you can’t attend, share the word,” Lattier said. “Make Richmond better for future generations. That is how change happens.”
The fair will take place on Wilson Avenue between Nevin and San Pablo avenues. You can find more information and RSVP for a free ticket on Eventbrite.
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