Children receive free healthcare screenings at local expo

Bloomington children received free health screenings at the 28th annual Children’s Expo Saturday at Fairview Elementary.

Kim Ecenbarger, special services coordinator for Bloomington Parks and Recreation, and Amy Shrake, inclusion recreation coordinator, helped organize the event. Shrake said the expo helps families realize the resources the community has to offer.

Ecenbarger said health screenings have expanded and are now offered to children 10 years and younger. Shrake said these screenings help to make sure children are on track developmentally.

Ecenbarger said about 60 volunteers gave their time this year, and the event usually attracts about 300 families.

“It’s been a really active day,” Ecenbarger said.

Ecenbarger said the expo location moves each year so all areas of the community can benefit from it.

Bloomington Pediatric Dentistry examined kids’ mouths. Dr. Tammy Gierke said the practice is prevention-based. They answer parents’ questions and help them learn the
best way to keep their child healthy.

“It’s a great place for parents to come,” she said.

Along with the screenings, there were booths for summer camps and organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club of Ellettsville, Ind., and IU Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, among others. Many provided games and coloring activities for the children,
and there were even some dogs present to represent various animal associations.

There was entertainment, including book reading on stage, performers from Stage Flight Productions, a balloon artist and face painting.

Beth Harns brought her grandchildren to the event, which she said is fun for them. She took her grandkids to get an eye screening and said they would try to participate in as many screenings as possible before the event ended.

She said the expo helps parents to catch problems early and to make sure their kids are happy, safe and healthy.

Rosie Pizzo came mainly for the free health screenings, but said the event is also fun for her daughter. She has attended the expo about four or five times.

Pizzo also has an 8-year-old son and said the information about summer camps is beneficial to him.

“It’s well-organized,” she said. “I’m impressed just with all the different organizations they bring in,” she said.

Carol Spencer, director of Hoosier Courts Nursery School, attended as a representative of IU’s Early Childhood Education Services. The table had bullfrog tadpoles on display, a hit with the children.

Spencer said she wanted to participate in the expo to support a Bloomington event.

“It’s part of our mission to be very much a part of the community,” she said. “I personally enjoy working with people a lot and it’s very rewarding for me to support families and help them be as strong as families as they can possibly be.”