This year’s theme was, “Spring Celebration,” and Catholic Charities kicked off their celebration by giving away over 250 Easter baskets to the first 250 children that arrived at the event. Along with the Easter basket giveaway, families were able to enjoy live music, a bounce house, gift card raffles, free lunch, popcorn, and snow cones.
While the fair’s overall focus was health and wellness, Catholic Charities targeted the event’s activities toward children, hoping to bring in more families.
“Health begins with nutritional food and it also starts with the parents,” said Jessica Meza, Catholic Charities’ Regional Coordinator in the Coachella Valley. “If we bring in the children, then the parents will come.”
Catholic Charities provided guests assistance with medical health insurance applications, screenings for CalFresh (Food Stamp program) benefits and information regarding immigration, citizenship, counseling, and family and community services. Several guests were able to attend free clinics that offered glucose and vital health screenings as well as massage therapy sessions.
Over 170 Catholic Charities staff and community volunteers made the event possible. Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit, Assemblyman Brian Nestande, Assemblyman Manuel Perez and City of Coachella Mayor Eduardo Garcia were also in attendance at this year’s Spring Health and Resources Fair.
“The goal of the Spring Celebration is to provide an opportunity for families to have fun together without any cost and also to learn about local community resources that can increase their health, stability, and safety,” stated Ken F. Sawa, CEO of Catholic Charities. “The event is popular because it’s family fun with a purpose.”