Friday, March 28, 2025
The Island Park PTA is gearing up for its first-ever Health & Wellness Fair on March 6 at Lincoln Orens Middle School, an event designed to educate and engage the community in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The PTA hopes this initiative will spark ongoing discussions, activities, and future events centered around health and wellness.
“We are hoping that this will be the first of many,” said Amanda Ruderman, a registered nurse and PTA volunteer who has been spearheading the event. “Our goal is to spread awareness and teach children and adults about health while making it fun and accessible.”
The fair will feature over 30 vendors in an expo-style set up in the school gym, alongside several interactive activities throughout the evening. A highlight of the event will be a performance by KerboomKidz, an energetic group that promotes movement and dance as essential aspects of a healthy lifestyle. They will lead a warm-up session and activities for children throughout the event.
Other notable participants include Central Nassau County, which will be offering Narcan training every 15 minutes, and health experts like Erin Parker, owner of Yoga with M.E., who will lead yoga demonstrations and mindfulness activities. Additionally, Nicole Rodriguez, a registered dietitian from Enjoy Food. Enjoy Life., will provide insights on packing healthy snacks, complete with delicious samples.
Beyond education, the fair aims to inspire community involvement. Ruderman emphasized the importance of partnerships, inviting local experts and businesses to contribute to the health and wellness of Island Park. “If someone has expertise in a field or a business focused on health, we’d love to collaborate,” she said.
With hopes of making this an annual tradition, the PTA is already looking ahead to a potential outdoor health fair in the summer, covering topics such as sun safety, swim safety, and bike safety. Ruderman also hopes to incorporate mobile health clinics and vaccine services.
“I am hoping that families will have access to many resources available to help their family remain healthy,” Ruderman said. “I am hoping kids will see that being and staying healthy is fun and shows children that there is so much we can do to make ourselves healthy and well. Taking care of our body and mind are important skills we can share as a family.”
The Island Park PTA welcomes all community members to attend and take advantage of the wealth of resources available. For more information or to get involved, reach out to the Island Park PTA.
