By Peter Vankevich
The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with the Ocracoke Health Center and several other organizations for a free, fun event billed as “Touch a Truck and Health Fair” that will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 18, at the firehouse, 822 Irvin Garrish Hwy.
Kids will have the opportunity to climb on the fire trucks, and everyone will have the opportunity to chat with the OVFD firefighters.
“We are glad to co-sponsor this event with the Health Center,” said Fire Chief Albert O’Neal. “We have several dedicated junior firefighters from the Ocracoke School.”
Without the presences of the boy and girl scouts and similar organizations, being a junior volunteer fire fighter is a means to develop life skills and become involved in community service.
As for adults, they are encouraged to drop by.
“We have a strong group of firefighters and could always use more. So, this is good opportunity for those thinking of joining the force and to come chat with us,” said O’Neal.
“The health center will make flu shots available along with blood pressure checks and provide many fun activities for children,” said Amanda “Mandi” Cochran, R.N., co-organizer of this event.
Dr. Jeremy Sexton, the health center’s medical doctor and also a volunteer firefighter, said he was pleased with this collaboration.
“I think the most important thing is getting people aware of what our local resources are in the area healthcare-wise and kind of get out to meet the people who provide these services,” he said. “We need to expose them early and often to these kinds of volunteer services and what the opportunities are here.”
Nancy Leach, the director of student services for Hyde County Schools and a board member of Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children, said, “Our Student Health Ambassadors will be volunteering on that day, and the CTE department will be looking at the participating trucks and what career potentials exist there.”
This event is the co-coordinated by Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children, located in Washington, and one of 75 smart-start organizations throughout the entire state serving families from birth to five.
“The event will be for all ages,” said Kris Bowen, outreach coordinator. “We’ve sponsored Touch a Truck events in the past and we are thrilled to host one on Ocracoke with the health center.”
Another sponsor, ECU Health, will provide car seat inspections and will make available free child car seats.
There will also be free drop-in yoga and meditation sessions.
