Hospital to host annual back to school fair July 18

As summer is drawing to a close and the back to school season is starting to come into full swing, an annual school fair will help ensure valley youth and their parents are ready when the first bell rings to begin the 2015-16 school year.

Desert View Hospital, in partnership with the NyE Communities Coalition and the Nye County School District, will host its annual Back to School Health Fair on Saturday, July 18, from 9 am to 12 p.m., at the hospital.

Community members are invited to bring their children to the hospital’s campus to receive no-cost immunizations, vision screenings, sports physicals, dental screenings, and scoliosis screenings.

In addition, school supplies being collected since June until July 13 will be handed out on a first come, first served basis.

Children in attendance will be able to collect a bag of school supplies during the event.

“Last year we were able to give school supplies to 373 children at the health fair,” said Meagan Kowalski, director of marketing at DVH. “This year we are hoping to be able to distribute supplies to at least 400 students, but we need the community’s help to make that happen.

“From pencils to crayons to Kleenex and three-ring binders, every donation helps.”

Kowalski said she estimates that around $2,000 of supplies were handed out at last year’s event.

Thus far the turnout has been good so far this year, as HRMG donated $350, Mercy Air has donated $300 and the DVH Foundation plans to donate $350 themselves to match HRMG’s donation, but Kowalski said that the pace is behind last year at this point.

“There are a few businesses in town that are collecting supplies for us as well,” Kowalski said. “We have also received some small donations which we very much appreciate, but we still need a lot more in order to be able to distribute the supplies to our goal of 400 students.

“Compared to last year, we have collected less supplies. We’re hopeful that we will meet our goal before the start of next week so we can help as many students as possible.”

Those interested in donating can do so at Desert View Hospital by dropping off supplies at the main desk.

A wide variety of vendors will also be on-site with information relative to parents and children, including representatives from the school district and the transportation department.

Other activities include face painting, tours of a Mercy Air helicopter, and Pahrump Fire and Rescue will have a fire truck set up for children to look at as well. Pahrump Rotary Club will feed those in attendance, providing them with hot dogs.

Last year’s Back to School Health Fair drew close to 1,300 people, and promises to draw large crowds again this year.

“We are excited to bring all of these wonderful services to the community at no cost to participants,” Kowalski said. “This health fair is a great way to help so many in our town who otherwise would not be able to afford these services. We are deeply grateful to all of those who have stepped up to donate their time and skills to benefit the children of Pahrump. All of this is possible because of their generosity and desire to make a difference in our community.”

If any supplies are left over they will be donated to Valley Electric Association’s, “Fill the Bucket” supply drive.

The hospital is located at 360 South Lola Lane, near Wilson Road and Highway 372. For more information contact Meagan Kowalski at 775.751.7120 or meagan.kowalski@dvrmc.org.