“For the Health of It”, a wellness fair, will be presented by the Kimball Public Schools Wellness Team on May 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the new gym and the west parking lot of the jr./sr. high school.

According to the school’s wellness chairperson Kim Baliman, many locals businesses and organizations will present a variety of health and lifestyle information and activities for the entire community to enjoy.

The Kimball Police Department is sponsoring a bike safety check and bike rodeo as part of the event, according to Katherine Lukassen of the department. This event will take place in the west parking lot of the high school.

Lukassen says the department is attempting to raise funds to provide participants with bike helmets at the rodeo as well.

She hopes for enough funding to provide up to 300 helmets, but if it is not possible in time for this event, the police will continue fund raising efforts and sponsor a second bike rodeo later in the summer.

They will also provide car seat safety checks and a program designed to educate patrons about the dangers of texting while driving, according to Kimball Chief of P olice Mark Simpson.

“I think these will be excellent ways to get people involved,” police chief Mark Simpson says.

Baliman describes a fun, family- oriented event in the wellness fair with educational materials, financial wellness, future planning, and activities as well as a guest speaker and door prizes.

Informational booths regarding insurance will be provided by an Aflac representative and Blue Cross Blue Shield information provided by Bob Jenner.

Charlotta Young, owner of The Healing Dimension, plans to have a booth highlighting the mental and emotional benefits of an active lifestyle, according to Baliman.

Young plans to focus on holistic health, wholeness including all aspects of your body including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, and one’s ability to be at their best.

Attendees will be able to register for the Kimball Public Library’s summer reading program as well as swim lessons from the Kimball Municipal Swimming Pool.

DOVES will have a booth focused on recognizing healthy relationships, according to Kandi Weinbender of DOVES.

The Kimball County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting the Child Safe program at the event. The program provides identification cards for children and educational materials for children and parents.

According to Sheriff Harry Gillway, the child safe identification cards will include photos taken at the wellness fair, as well as fingerprints of the children.

Main Street Market, Viaero, Aflac, the Kimball Public Library, and Vista Villa are all expected to participate, as well as many others.

“More booths are welcome,” Baliman invites, “The more the merrier!”

With a cost of $10.00 for a booth, businesses, organizations, and individuals can present information to the public during the fun event at little cost.

Also, Baliman says, all sports physicals can be done that day in the locker rooms at the school. The cost will be $40, and must be paid at the time of service.

She regrets that Kindergarten and seventh grade physicals won’t be provided as well, but still feels the service at the fair is great.

Baliman’s focus has long been on healthy food choices and increased movement for our students and she is excited to have part in bringing the wellness fair to Kimball.

Baliman says she first saw and heard about similar events while in food service trainings across Nebraska. She thought the wellness fairs were a great idea and with a lot of help, has been working on implementing the idea here.

“For being the first year, I am very pleased,” Baliman says.

“For the Health of It” is sure to have information and activities for everyone. For more information on hosting a booth contact Kim Baliman.