FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 26, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT:
jessica_bee@oppco.org

Third Annual Wellness Fair, a Collaboration of the Community

Third Annual Event at East Whatcom Regional Resource Center a Collaboration of Local Health Organizations, Nonprofits, and Community Members 

On Saturday, May 18, the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center will transform into a healthcare center, offering community members free health, vision, hearing, dental services, and more at the Third Annual Catherine Mahaffey East Whatcom Wellness Fair! 

Local providers including VSP Vision Care, PeaceHealth, Medical Teams International, and many others have come together to offer multiple free services and resources to the community. No insurance is needed. There will be live entertainment, many fun activities specific to children, elders and folks of all stages and ages, and a free nutritious lunch from the Common Threads Food Truck as well as healthy, yummy snacks.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) will provide information and resources at this event including: 

Health testing services including STI, Hep C, and HIV testing. 

Harm reduction tools, including Narcan distribution and education, clean syringe distribution, and Fentanyl test strips.

GRACE (Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement) and LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) programs, including support and information about intensive case management services.

Environmental Health will share information about staying safe and healthy during wildfire smoke and extreme heat events.

This event honors the late Catherine Mahaffey, a community member invested in the health and well-being of her community. 


Who: All East Whatcom community members are welcome. Individuals interested in receiving basic medical screenings, dental care, vision care, and other services and activities are asked to RSVP by visiting https://tinyurl.com/wellnessfair24 or calling 360-599-3944.

Where: East Whatcom Regional Resource Center, 8251 Kendall Rd, Maple Falls 98266 

When: Saturday, May 18, 2023, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

What: Third Annual Catherine Mahaffey East Whatcom Wellness Fair. 


Free Services & Activities: 

  • Transportation to and from the event with RSVP.
  • BloodWorksNW Blood Drive (Sign-up here: Bloodworks - Donor Portal (bloodworksnw.org)).
  • Health checkups including footcare with RSVP.
  • Sports physicals. 
  • Acupuncture services.
  • Blood pressure testing. 
  • Blood sugar testing. 
  • Vision exam and glasses (RSVP recommended!).
  • Hearing screenings.
  • Dental care (including exams, x-rays, fillings, and extractions) (RSVP recommended!).
  • Mental health services and resources. 
  • Drug takeback for disposal of expired/unused medications.
  • Support in obtaining or replacing driver’s licenses/IDs.
  • Youth bike & scooter road skills course. 
  • Bounce House Health Challenge.
  • Nooksack storytelling with Tamara Cooper-Woodrich, Angela Letoi, and Elizabeth Coleman. 
  • Free resources, lunch, education, and gifts just for attending!

This event is made possible through support of the following agencies: United Healthcare of Washington, PeaceHealth, Medical Teams International, VSP Vision Care, Health Ministries Network, Opportunity Council, Whatcom County Health and Community Services, Molina Healthcare of Washington, North Sound Accountable Communities of Health, Northwest Regional Council, Whatcom County Library System, the Area Health Education Center of Western Washington, and many additional local service providers offering resources, education, and giveaways. 

Attendance. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individuals interested in attending to receive basic medical screenings, dental services, transportation, hearing and vision checks, and other services and activities should RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/wellnessfair24 or call 360-599-3944. Interpretation for Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian will be available on-site. 

Volunteers. Volunteers are still needed to support various aspects of the event including: parking attendant, intake support, clean up, and more. Please let us know if you can come out and support by using this link: http://tinyurl.com/wellnessfair24 

Healthcare providers, businesses, or individuals who are interested in supporting this free event for the community should contact Jessica Bee and Aly Robinson (jessica_bee@oppco.org, arobinso@whatcomcounty.us). 

Cost: This event is free for everyone to attend and no insurance is necessary. 

Donations. If you are unable to volunteer at the event but would still like to support, donations of kid’s bikes, helmets, event tents, and monetary funds are also appreciated. Donations of youth bikes and scooters, ages 2 to 18 years old, can be delivered to the Opportunity Council’s East Whatcom Regional Resource Center or 1419 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham Opportunity Council Admin Office to be used in a bike/scooter skills course run by Whatcom Smart Trips. To give a financial donation to help make this event possible, please donate online at oppco.org, email Jessica Bee at jessica_bee@oppco.org or call 360-599-3944. 


For accommodations such as transportation to and from the event, ASL interpretation, mobility device support, please send a request to Jessica Bee (jessica_bee@oppco.org) by noon on Thursday, May 9. Please note: while every effort will be made to support guests accessing care, and no insurance is required, there is no guarantee of service. 

        We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.
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