Over the weekend, several hundred Chicago youth, adults and seniors attended State Senator Mattie Hunter’s 12th Annual Health, Fun and Fitness Fair on the South Side. Free health services and back-to-school supplies were offered.
Mourning families joined the Hunter family for commemorative balloon releases for violence prevention and breast cancer awareness. Hunter released pink balloons with Carolyn Adams’ family, the namesake of the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure, in honor of those who lost loved ones to breast cancer. Gatherers released red balloons alongside the Hunter family while calling out the names of victims of violence.
“Violence is the language of despair and economic strife. We must change that language,” Hunter said. “We need to restore love and a family environment in our communities.”
Thanks to generous donations from ComEd, Institute for Positive Living, Discovery Books and more, a great time was had by all. Some of the event highlights included:
- Students received hundreds of back-to-school supplies and book bags. Discovery Books donated 500 free books to students and adults.
- Youth enjoyed story time with elected officials at the Direct Energy Innovation to Inspiration mobile station. One student won a Kindle.
- Sen. Hunter drummed alongside kids and instructors from VanderCook College of Music.
- World Champion Jesse White Tumblers and the South Shore Drill Team shared premier performances.
- Residents received free dental and eye examinations, health screenings, physicals and immunizations.
- AT&T provided a Shred-it truck to protect residents from identity theft by shredding their important documents.
The health fair grew from 30 attendees in 2003 to well over a thousand this year. Nearly 50 vendors provided services including resources for HIV positive residents, compared to over 25 vendors last year.
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Please visit Senator Hunter’s Facebook page for photo gallery and click here for video.
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