BAPS Charities Children’s Health Fair

June 12, 2010 Lansdale, PA

A recent study conducted by The American Academy of Pediatrics states that “Each year, approximately 900 pedestrians younger than 19 years are killed. In addition, 51,000 children are injured as pedestrians, and 5,300 of them are hospitalized because of their injuries.” 

With the goal of teaching children and their families the importance of child safety and health, on Saturday, June 12, 2010, BAPS Charities hosted first-of-its-kind Children’s Health Fair in Lansdale, PA. The health fair provided health screenings, special presentations by local professionals, as well as entertaining yet educational activities which promoted health and safety to over 150 children.
 
Over 10 medical professionals including doctors, optometrists, pharmacists, dentists, and nurses joined hands in educating attendees about how to stay healthy now and in the future. Dr. Prashant Parikh, MD, informed parents about children’s illnesses and injuries. He presented to parents on how to recognize illnesses and manage them with their own children.  The question-answer session, clarified  many of the current issues that the parents had encountered. 

Along with presentations, there were many professionals who assisted one-on-one through examination at various booths.  Throughout the day, over 50 children had their eyes screened. Of these children, a few of the parents became attuned to new vision problems that were originally unfamiliar to them. 

Dr. Deanna Dudenbostel, DDS, demonstrated proper brushing techniques using a toy alligator and spoke to groups on maintaining excellent dental hygiene.  Vimal Negandhi, professional sports counselor and brother of the first South Asian anchor on ESPN, Kevin Negandhi, gave an inspiring speech that motivated the kids to stay involved in sports and youth activities, and encouraged them never to give up on their goals and dreams.  The children’s groups were seen walking from booth to booth where they participated in activities which stressed good hygiene, healthy eating habits, active lifestyles, and much more.

The special children’s event also included several seminars and booths on safety which helped the kids learn the importance and benefits of remembering safety at home, on the streets, and anywhere they go. Punam Amin, MSW, held a special seminar with the parents that shed light on “Technology & Safety.”  Recently, with children having open access to computers, online games, and technology on the rise; it opens many potential dangers to having their kids exposed out in the world.  Her seminar educated the parents on the dangers of technology and how to be safe with parental screenings with their own children. 

Additionally, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Kohl’s Injury Prevention Program) came with a large mobile safety van which was filled with safety equipment such as bike helmets, in which they fitted many of the children who left with a safety device they might have never had otherwise.  

Reach Out and Read, Greater Philadelphia, educated the youth on the importance of reading, as well as reminded the parents to read to their children.  Mr. Yuk was seen throughout the building taking pictures with the kids and telling them the hazards of household poisons as part of a poison prevention focus offered by the North Penn Visiting Nurses Association.

Kids were entertained throughout the day by various games, a moon bounce, a magician, and a special puppet show on pedestrian safety put together by the Partnership Transportation Management A.  Visits by the local police and fire departments allowed children to explore a police car and fire engine, as well as learn about being safe and staying away from drugs and violence courtesy Officer Dave Klepfer and D.A.R.E.  They brought with them a modified police car which the children got to sit in and were amazed at all the functions of the car and the jobs that our officers do to keep kids safe.

With the help of the Montgomery County Health Department, Walgreen’s Pharmacy, the local YMCA’s and Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Philadelphia Phillies; each child received many gifts and souvenirs, and had a chance at winning raffle prizes which included an authentic MLB-signed Jimmy Rollins baseball, free gym memberships, fire detectors, CPR-anytime kits, safety packages, and much more.  

Feedback received from children and parents that attended was astonishing.  ”I never knew learning about health and safety could be this much fun!”, said 11-year old, Vivek, from Hatfield.  “I’m thankful that BAPS Charities has taken an initiative to bring a change to our kids and the community.  This event was a wake-up call for all of us to pay more attention to topics we previously overlooked” stated local parent Ritesh Patel.

“We are pleased to be able to hold such events in the community and bring together large groups of local professionals and experts that volunteered their time to help make a difference and make this event a success.  With the great success and positive results of this event, it only inspires us to continue to hold an event like this one annually and hold more events on health and safety education and awareness at various locations across the nation next year,” said Mayank Amin, event coordinator.