The Bulldog spirit was there for Belmont County’s riverside communities April 17 when Bridgeport Exempted Village School District hosted the Belmont County NAACP’s second annual health fair with open arms.
Originally scheduled for the first week of April, heavy flooding caused organizers to push the fair to mid-April.
The NAACP held the event in partnership with Wheeling Health Right and the Belmont County Health Department. Jerry Moore II, president of the Belmont County NAACP, was on hand speaking to vendors and welcoming visitors.
He said the need for health care has likely grown since many people may have been taken off Medicaid. He added both the young and the elderly often do not know what their options are, and there is an advantage to face-to-face discussions with vendors.
“Through the numbers and statistics through the health department and Wheeling Health Right, this is the most needed area here on the riverfront, the eastern part of the county,” he said. “You have to meet the people where they’re at, so I think Bridgeport’s location is great. It’s good parking, good people and an administration that’s great to work with. Vendors had an easy time coming in. There’s no steps to climb. I think it just makes it easy and just very convenient, and the Bridgeport school district serves over 21,000 people, so having it here was a no-brainer to bring a health fair to Bridgeport, and we’ll continue to bring it to our schools on the riverfront.”
He thanked Bridgeport Superintendent Brent Ripley and the administration for accommodating the fair and quickly rescheduled following the flooding. Jerry Moore II, a 1997 graduate said it was rewarding to return to his alma mater and serve the community.
“Mr. Ripley and his administration have greeted us with open arms as the NAACP and greeted us with open arms as a 1997 graduate from Bridgeport. We are ecstatic to be here, and go dogs!”
His father, Jerry Moore Sr., a member of the board of education for 34 years and who has spearheaded the health fairs, applauded the efforts of the NAACP, health department and Wheeling Health Right.
“This is a big plus for our community. The school opened itself up to us,” he said. “There’s a lot of people I see coming in that are old friends of Bridgeport.”
He said there were many common needs in the area and noted mental health services and information being provided about diabetes.
Anne Ricci, marketing director at Wheeling Health Right, pointed out providers such as Southeast Healthcare and CareSource. Other providers present included I.C. Care, Rolling Hills Rehabilitation and Care Center, Trinity Health Systems, the Valley Hospice, the Greater Wheeling National Alliance on Mental Illness, Arc of Ohio, and a crisis line for veterans. She said Wheeling Health Right was dedicated to reaching everyone within their service.
“Everyone here has been fantastic. They’re very welcoming,” she said. “We’re hoping it’s a good, centralized location, and people come in.”
Linda Mehl, director of maternal and child health at the Belmont County Health Department, said last year’s event was successful and the Bridgeport school facility proved a perfect location.
“They’re very excited. They’ve done a lot of promotion for the event,” she said. “We’re hoping to have a good turnout.”
The school district has sent out notifications through its app. Mehl said the fair was an opportunity for people to learn about what is available in the community.
“We have providers in the area, but there’s a lot of changes in these providers,” she said.
“Typically, these areas along the riverfront are underserved and there is a lack of transportation in the county. We’re just hoping to reach some people we normally wouldn’t reach,” she said. “The main thing is that we maybe have some good conversations with a lot of folks and can provide some service for them that maybe they haven’t gotten yet.”
Ripley commended those who came out for the people of Belmont County, adding the district was happy to host the event and again work with Jerry Moore Sr.
“Jerry’s a great man, he’s a very giving man,” he said, adding the fair represented a team-up of dedicated organizations. “That’s what we’re designed to do, help one another and serve one another.”
Gayle Westfall, nurse manager for Southeast said this was their first time attending.
“We offer services in the homes of people in the Bridgeport area that come to our agency. We have an office in Martins Ferry, Cadiz, Woodsfield and St. Clairsville so we try to cover the whole area,” she said, adding they maintain a close relationship with the school district. “We have a school therapist that works out of Southeast who works in the school.”
The elementary, middle school and high school principals were seen looking around and lending a hand, and staff members took the opportunity to learn.
Andrea Criswell, Educational Management Information System Coordinator for the district, said the vendors’ information was valuable.
“It’s become a great opportunity for us to be able to learn about these resources to share with our parents and students.”
Guests included Roger Doty of Powhatan Point, who said he was interested in learning more about diabetes.
“I think this is real nice,” he said.
Cindy Falkenstein of Colerain was also seeing what was available.
“It’s just a good thing for the community to have,” she said.
