Monique Parra
Staff Writer
Free massages, samples and workshops drew in many people to La Verne’s Family Health and Fitness Expo March 16 at Bonita High School.
“It’s a beautiful day to bring awareness of fitness and health to La Verne residents,” Brian McNerney, La Verne Chamber of Commerce president, said.
Forty-eight vendors participated in bringing awareness of health and fitness to the La Verne community.
More than 200 families and friends of the La Verne community walked the football field and became more aware of opportunities to better their health in the local community by talking to local medical, dental and fitness facilities.
The expo began with a fun run on Bonita High School’s track.
Each participant in the run was given a raffle ticket that was later raffled off to win one of 48 prizes donated by the vendors.
La Verne Police and Fire Department, Costco, Sam’s Club, Bowl of Heaven, American Cancer Society, Pacific Specialty Insurance, Inland Valley Humane Society and County of Los Angeles Office of Women’s Health were among the vendors that contributed to the health expo.
Complimentary health and vision screenings, massages, fitness workshops, blood pressure checkups, flu vaccines and free pharmaceutical disposal were offered at the event.
“I love it, it’s a great event to bring the family out to,” Lourdes Ramirez, La Verne resident, said. “I hope they continue to do this every year.”
Students from the Bonita High School California Scholarship Federation and Damien High School volunteered their time to help work the event.
“It’s been a great day to help out in our community,” said Isla Qunez, a junior at Bonita High School who volunteered at the event.
“It’s the first year the city of La Verne has put on a health expo and what a wonderful turnout it has been,” Jean Owen, La Verne resident, said.
“I hope this becomes annual to help bring awareness to the whole community,” she said.
Each vendor passed out complimentary goodies from toothbrush kits to tea and snack samples to help remind everyone how important health care is.
Monique Parra can be reached at monique.parra@laverne.edu.
