Hawkins United Methodist Church is set to host a Health Fair from Sept. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the ALC Building at the church, located at 3736 Halls Ferry Rd. in Vicksburg. The event is sponsored by the Retired Education Personnel of Vicksburg Warren County and the Hawkins UMC Mission Team and is open to the everyone.

The Health Fair will provide information and limited wellness assessments from providers in Warren County. More than 20 providers will be represented and have staff on hand to answer questions, present pamphlets and check blood pressure.

Lucy Young, a member of both the Hawkins UMC Mission Team and the Retired Educators, noted that the last Health Fair was held in 2019, prior to the pandemic. It was held at Vicksburg Warren School District’s central offices, but has now been moved to the church.

Young said the retired educators is an organization focused on community service.

“We try to have projects that can be offered to the community,” she said. “We do Angel Tree and some tutoring at Good Shepherd.”

Young said the Missions Team at Hawkins UMC participates in many fundraising efforts.

“We take proceeds and donate them to different organizations in the community, whether it’s the Children’s Shelter or Lifting Lives Ministry. We take those monies and spread them out as far as they’ll go.”

As an active member of the Missions Team, Young participates in the “Blessing Box,” an outdoor small food pantry, as well as “drive-through prayer” on the first Thursday of every month at the church.

After being in both organizations, Young said she realized teaming up for the Health Fair would be a great partnership.

“The retired group wanted to have another health fair,” she said. “What better way to tie that in with Hawkins Mission Team than to combine and host this event?”

Young said the event is open to the community.

“It’s going to be very educational,” she said. “It’s really a good opportunity for people to pick up information covering a wide range of health and wellness and community opportunities. We’re trying to cover every area. Mental health, physical health, Hinds (Community College) nursing program, we’ll take blood pressure and pulse rates.”

Young also said local law enforcement and other organizations will contribute.

“The police department, the fire department, the sheriff’s department, their representatives will have information on scams, neighborhood watch, crime prevention and other important information,” she said. “Dorothy Hilderbrand (of the YMCA) is going to be there. She may demonstrate some chair exercises. The Secret Garden (spa owner), Fawn, is going to be there. She does chair yoga. It is kind of geared to the older population, but it’s open to anyone.”

Additionally, representatives from Murry Chiro and Disc, The Vision Center and Oldenburg Family Dentistry will be present to give information and answer questions. Nutritional information prepared by Ali Hopson will be available in written form. Gail Kavanaugh, retired from the Food Service division of the Vicksburg Warren school District, will answer questions about nutrition. Representatives from home health, pain management, dermatology and hospice care will also be on hand.

A counselor from Grace Christian Counseling will be at the fair, as well as representatives from Mississippi Alzheimer’s Association. The Medgar and Angela Scott Foundation will provide information about its services, which cover a variety of areas such as afterschool enrichment programs, educational scholarships and programs to empower women.

United Way and Good Shepherd Community Center will also be at the fair. In addition to offering information, they hope to connect with people willing to volunteer, organizers said, adding some fun things offered at the Health Fair will be door prizes and healthy snacks. As people register, they will be entered into the drawing for various health-related items.

Audrey Tyrone, president of the Retired Educators organization, said there will be multiple prizes available.

“Prizes will be thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, masks, hand sanitizer, things like that.”

Bottled water and fruit will be available. Young said people of all ages are welcome.