Community Health Collaborative offers drive thru health expo at the Oasis

 

[October 19, 2021] 

On Thursday evening, the Lincoln Memorial Hospital Community Health Collaborative hosted its second drive-thru health expo in the parking lot of the Oasis Senior Center in Lincoln.

The Collaborative has hosted health expos in the past at the Oasis, but this is the second one to be held as a drive thru only. The practice began last year during the pandemic when it was imperative that guests not gather in large groups in indoor settings. As a workaround, the Collaborative decided to host the drive thru event so that it could continue to serve the community.

That first event and this second one also included the opportunity for people to get their annual flu shot, administered by staff from the Logan County Department of Public Health.

The parade through the parking lot began at the far north drive in with the trail passing past the back of the Oasis building, then wrapping around to the front side with a veer to the right to receive the flu shots as desired.

Driving into the lot, Lincoln Memorial Hospital Community Health Collaborative staff were the first to greet visitors. Angela Stoltzenburg and Cindy Smith were handing out free information bags and also for anyone interested, free mail-in colorectal cancer test kits.

The next two exhibitors were from Lincoln Memorial Hospital and handing out information about living a healthy lifestyle through proper diet, and information for seniors on advance care planning.

The Family Guidance Centers, Inc. out of Springfield was there handing out about substance abuse.

Next in line was a representative with the Butterfly Project and staff from Chestnut Health Systems. The Butterfly Project out of Bloomington was sharing information about Domestic Violence month in October while Chestnut was handing out a variety of information including a flyer about how vaping can harm you.

Next in Line was the ICARE long term care ombudsman program and a number of representatives from Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, talking about their senior meal and transportation services as well as Head Start.

Around the west end of the Oasis building, students from Lincoln College were on hand dressed in a variety of fruit and vegetable costumes and accompanied by the Lincoln College Lynx mascot. They handed out information about healthy life styles including making healthy food choices and the benefits of being active.

The Silver Fox Fitness program was well represented at the expo as was representatives from the local YMCA.

Lincoln D.A.R.E. officer Christy Fruge was next in the line of exhibitors, talking to families about substance abuse and sharing information about what to look for as warning signs that a teenager may be drinking or using drugs.

Patti Becker of the United Way of Logan County was sharing information about the United Way 2-1-1 program that offers a quick referral to community services for those seeking help with a variety of needs.

"Girls on the Run" was there offering information about the club that combines socialization with health exercise.

Mario Canon, owner of the Lincoln Anytime Fitness was there with members of his crew, promoting exercise and offering the chance to win a free membership to the Lincoln exercise room.

Also helping out with the evening events were the Lincoln College Gents. The guys were helping direct people to the vaccine line and assist in any other way they might be needed.

At the beginning of the line, Stoltzenburg was asking each vehicle if they would be getting their flu shots while at the expo. Those that said yes had a yellow sticky note placed on their side view mirror. As they made their way to the end of the line, the gents were among those who were checking the mirror and sending vehicles off to the right where they were met by staff from the LCDPH.

Forms were filled out prior to getting to the tent, where the staff came to the car and administered the injections through the car windows.

The total trip around the Oasis parking lot took less than 30 minutes, but provided visitors with a wealth of information about health and wellness and services that are available to a variety of age groups throughout the community.

The day had been forecasted to be wet and rainy and many came prepared to handle nasty weather. Fortunately, the rain stayed away for the event, and the sun even dared to shine for a time in the evening, casting a golden glow over the activity in the parking lot.

The Lincoln Memorial Hospital Community Health Collaborative is managed by Angela Stoltzenburg and has offices in Lincoln at the hospital. Information about any of the local programs is available through the Collaborative. Contact Stoltzenburg at [e-mail] or 217-605-5008.

[Nila Smith]