A free health fair for children and their families will be held this weekend in Moline. The organizer is Melody Schnell, a parish nurse for Salem Lutheran Church - she says her goal is to teach children the basics of how to stay healthy.
"There's interactive displays for the children to do with the exhibitors, and it's a lot of fun. It's like with toys - if you don't take care of them, they wear out. Same way with your heart - if you don't take care of your heart, if you don't exercise, and you don't eat right. Teaching the children and making it simple so they understand."
The fair, on Saturday, will feature presentations by doctors, the county health department, the Children's Therapy Center, and an autism support group. Plus there'll be what she calls "teaching booths" on nutrition, exercise, skin care, personal hygiene, and how to care for your teeth.
Schnell held the first Children's Health Fair last year, and 130 children attended, with their families. It will be open Saturday from 9 am until 1 pm at Salem Lutheran Church on 15th Street in Moline.