Highbridge Health Fair Celebrates 11th Year

Samaritan Village sponsored its 11th Annual Health Fair in the Bronx’s Highbridge neighborhood on Saturday, September 13, 2014. Hosted by our Highbridge Residential Treatment Program, the festive event promotes health and wellness to the community and gives Samaritan Village an engaging way to "give back" to its neighbors.

 

The annual Recovery Month event featured free health screenings and education by partner agencies. The day also offered a basketball tournament, live band and DJ, children’s carnival with inflatables, face painting, arts and crafts, and plenty of free healthy food. The Hon. Vanessa Gibson, who represents the district in the New York Council and provided funding to support the fair, was publicly acknowledged for her support of the event. At the event, organizers also asked the community to also support the reopening of the nearby "High Bridge," New York's oldest standing bridge currently under renovation.

In spite of the rain, locals played in the annual community basketball tournament in honor of 15-year old basketball enthusiast Kalief William who passed away on November 27, 2008 from cardiac arrhythmia. His mother, Yolanda, still lives in the neighborhood, and is a staunch advocate for kids’ health and wellness.

 

Clients and employees of our Highbridge facility served as volunteers. They were joined by a long list of community supporters including HELP/PSI, Damien Family Care Centers, Highbridge Community Life Center, and the Bronx Children's Museum, among others who provided information and free services such as health screenings.