Join the Celebration: ES Rural Health’s Inspiring Be Well Block Party Brings Community Together!

On August 2, nearly 500 people gathered in downtown Parksley for the second annual Be Well Block Party, hosted by Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc. This half-day event emphasized wellness with health screenings, cooking demos, and various resources.

One of the highlights was a cooking demonstration by Tiffany Derry, a well-known chef from Bravo’s “Top Chef.” She showcased how to prepare healthy meals using ingredients provided to 150 families through the Foodbank of Southeastern VA and Eastern Shore’s 757 Mobile Market.

Participants received almost 200 health screenings from Rural Health and local partners. Over 140 children explored Accomack County Public School’s Book Bus, while Shiloh Baptist Church supplied about 100 kids with school supplies. The Eastern Shore Community Services Board distributed around 50 harm reduction kits. Aledade engaged over 100 attendees in advance care planning discussions.

The event drew a variety of community partners, highlighting a collective effort to improve public health. According to recent statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation, community health initiatives like this lead to a 20% increase in preventive care uptake.

Involving diverse organizations, the Block Party included contributions from groups like Aetna Better Health of Virginia, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. Such partnerships are crucial. They foster an environment of support, ensuring that community members receive essential health information and resources.

This year’s Be Well Block Party not only enhanced community engagement but also addressed critical health and wellness issues. As society shifts towards prioritizing health, events like these pave the way for sustained community well-being.

For more insights into community health initiatives, check out this report from the Virginia Department of Health.

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