Senator Farley Announces Annual Community Wellness Day Slated for April 9th in Amsterdam

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) and the Catholic Charities Family Resource and Support Center staff are partnering once again to host a free Community and Family Wellness Day on Friday, April 9th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Riverfront Center, Amsterdam. The event will include a variety of activities for all ages.

"This is the second year I have partnered with the Family Resource Center," Senator Farley said. "In the past, my February Healthy Heart day was a successful event that focused mainly on senior needs, and the Family Resource Center also had a wonderful June event focusing on children. Unfortunately, both events were affected by severe weather. Last year, we decided to team up to create an event for all ages, held inside, during a month when weather is typically calmer. It was a tremendous success with over 60 agencies participating and about 300 people attending. Because of this success, we are going to host this wonderful event again."

St. Mary's Hospital and Montgomery County Public Health will offer free lead screenings for children under age 18. New York State law requires that children ages 1 and 2 be tested for lead. Children who receive a lead screening at the event will have their name entered into a drawing for one of the door prizes.

Free blood pressure screenings will also be available.

The event will include over 60 community agencies and programs providing access to information on topics including child care, WIC, health insurance, mediation, job readiness and placement, parenting and special education needs, mental health, food stamps, legal services, geriatric issues including healthy living, home health support and Alzheimer's Disease.

In addition, the event will be host to a variety of exciting activities including: free gymnastic, dance and jump rope clinics sponsored by Twist N Flip; Mr. Twisty's Magic Show and Balloon Art sponsored by Hero Beech-Nut; The Catskill Puppet Theater, sponsored by Teens Against Gambling; free RockBand and Dance Dance Revolution Contests sponsored by Reality Check; a Senior Aerobics Class sponsored by the Amsterdam Family YMCA; and special visits from the Fidelasaurus and "MoJo" the Amsterdam Mohawks Mascot.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office will also be on hand to do Safe Kids Identifications.

For more information about the event, please contact Amy Courtoies, Catholic Charities Family Resource and Support Center Director at 842-4202 ext. 3132, or Senator Farley's Amsterdam District Office at 843-2188.

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Agencies participating include: