(Southern Illinois) –To help kids become more comfortable with going to the doctor and dentist Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) held a Teddy Bear Health Clinic: Play, Learn & Get Ready for School event on July 14 at the Davie Elementary/Anna Jr. High School in Anna.
Roughly 100 kids, ages 2 through 8th grade, attended the event where each received a Teddy Bear to name and take through a series of physical, dental, and other “check-up” stations designed to let them experience what it’s like to get a physical and dental exam, and learn how to stay healthy and safe. During their visit, kids also received free first aid, dental, and hygiene kits, and a school backpack with supplies for their classroom. Hot dogs, chips, and drinks were provided.
“Physical and dental exams are often frightening to children, but regular check-ups are a vital part of development and establishing healthy habits for life”, said Shawnna Rhine, RHI Director of Public Relations. “We’re thrilled that this event helped so many families make this process easier for their kids.”
Families had an opportunity to create memories with their child at the Photo Booth, enjoy the Story-Time Reading Corner with Stinson Memorial Library, and plan their child’s back-to-school physicals, dental, and vaccination appointments with Rural Health, Inc. providers if needed.
Parents and children were also greeted by many local child and family agencies and organizations, Union County Schools, and local businesses, providing support and resources, toys, games, and activities. These included Alliance of Churches, Arrowleaf, Union County Ambulance Service, Ameren, Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, Centerstone, IL Department of Children and Family Services, Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital, Dongola Grade School, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Home Health Solutions, Jonesboro Grade School, Shawnee Development Services, Shriners, Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy Center, Southern Seven Health Department, Stinson Memorial Library, The Stress and Trauma Center, and Two Rivers Child Advocacy Center.
Anna District 37 teachers, staff, and Board Members, Kroger of Anna, Pop ‘n Party Creations, and the City of Anna were involved in planning this event. The Union County Chamber of Commerce and the Union County Women in Business provided additional support and outreach.
The Teddy Bear Health Clinic: Play, Learn & Get Ready for School event was coordinated by RHI in partnership with the Rural Health Opioid Response Team of Southern Illinois and Davie Elementary/Anna Jr. High School, and was presented in cooperation with Union County Schools.
Funding was provided to RHI through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) grant; a multi-year, federal initiative funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) is a not-for-profit organization serving Johnson, Massac, and Union counties in Illinois, designated by the federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), whose mission is to provide quality services to all patients in need of healthcare while being committed to the overall health and well-being of the underserved.
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