LUCEA, Hanover — While back-to-school treats have long been a staple of Lucea Seventh-day Adventist Church’s community outreach, this year marks the first time the congregation integrated a full-scale health fair into the annual event.

The church grounds were a hive of activity Wednesday, as approximately 215 children between the ages of three and 17 and more than 180 adults from across Hanover received school supplies and medical services valued at more than $600,000.

Recipients and parents expressed profound gratitude, expressing delight with the quality and practical relevance of the educational items and medical attention received between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.

It was obvious that a lot of planning went into the day’s activities. There were customised packages structured according to students’ educational level, spanning early childhood, primary, high school, and tertiary studies. There were also practitioners on site to perform mandatory school medical examinations and administer required immunisations to ensure students are fully prepared for the upcoming academic year. The event was conceptualised and executed by the church’s health department — directed by Kerriann Campbell-Matherson — and the education department which is led by Aleisha Smith-Grant.

“We know that back-to-school is usually one of those times when parents are financially stressed, and so this is our way of alleviating the stress as it relates to back-to-school stationery,” Smith-Grant told attendees.

Some of the approximately 215 children who benefited from the Lucea Seventh Day Adventist Back to School Treat and Health Fair. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

“So today, we’re going to be handing out different types of stationery, and we do hope that it will help to offset some of what it is that you will have to spend on your students going back to school,” she said.

Simultaneously, there were critical clinical screenings and medical checks for the adults. There were a wide range of free diagnostic and preventative healthcare services, including checks for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) calculations, in addition to confidential HIV and syphilis testing.

Members of the team that were on the ground for the Lucea Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Kids Treat and Health Fair are (from left) Marcelle Henry-Davis (seated) Shelly-Ann Ottey, Jermaine Foster, Kerrian Campbell-Matherson, volunteer Durline Dunn, Aleisha Smith-Grant, Kerine Morris-Malcolm, Novellette Jackson, volunteer Caseta Reid and Pastor Owen Grant. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

“A voluntary blood donation drive was also hosted in partnership with health officials,” Campbell-Matherson shared with the Jamaica Observer.

“While the drive yielded two successful donations, we must note that there is an urgent need for citizens across the parish to donate regularly to support local health services.”

The Lucea Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Back to School Treat and Health Fair was conceptualised and executed by the church’s health department, directed by Kerriann Campbell-Matherson (right) and the education department which is led by Aleisha Smith-Grant (left). (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

The event’s execution was bolstered by key institutional partners, including the Ministry of Health and Hanover Health Services. Informational and service booths were hosted by PATH/NIS, Infiniti Cooperative Credit Union, and Lucea SDA Church.

Organisers expressed sincere gratitude to dedicated volunteers, health and education committees, community members, presenters, and sponsors who made the event possible.

“We want to thank Hanover Charities, who could not be here physically due to having another event at the same time; Top Shipping, Juici Patties, HiLo Supermarket, Hammonds Bakery, CPJ, Mega Marketing, CB Chickens, JTA Cooperative Credit Union, Dr Matthew O’Connor, Andre Brown, Garfield and Maye McKenzie, alongside local and international donors who wished to remain anonymous.” Campbell-Matherson expressed, “We also want to thank the church and its board for agreeing to host this initiative.”

Some of the students who received essential school supplies Wednesday, during the Lucea Seventh-day Adventist Church’s back-to-school treat and health fair. (Photo: Roslee Wood Condell)