by Paul Byrd, M.Div., BCC, Faith in Rural Health Program Director
On Saturday, Nov 2, the heart of Eatonton was filled with hope, joy, and a sense of community mission as an exuberant community choir sang out inspiring words from the steps of The Plaza Arts Center.
The voices sang:
“I need you,
You need me.
We’re ALL a part of God’s Body.
You are important to me,
I need you to survive!”
These lyrics, from Hezekiah Walker’s gospel song “I Need You to Survive,” and the make-up of the group itself were the perfect summation of the Second Annual Putnam County Day of Health.
The day’s events kicked off early when enthusiastic children left the starting line of a one-mile fun run. The adults soon followed as they lined up for the Steeple Chase 5K. Both events raised funds for Putnam Christian Outreach’s Weekend Backpack Program. The Steeple Chase ended in The Plaza’s front lawn, which was filled with vendors for the day’s next event, the free community health fair.
Health fair attendees had the opportunity to visit more than 35 vendors offering a wide range of information on health-related topics, including accessing affordable health care, fall prevention training, mental health resources, medication management, and opioid overdose prevention. Vendors provided valuable resources including pill sorters, paper fans, stress balls, first aid kits, portable chargers, hats, hair ties, Narcan, hand sanitizers, pens and guides on managing chronic conditions.
In addition to educational resources, the health fair offered a variety of health screenings such as blood pressure, glucose, HbA1C, cholesterol, vision, hearing, perceived stress and trauma symptoms. Children enjoyed painting pumpkins, caring for stuffed animals at a Teddy Bear Clinic, and visiting with therapy dogs. Classy Guy Barbeque and the Burger Barn provided delicious meals for everyone to enjoy.
The day concluded with a gospel-sing featuring local performers and guests from surrounding counties. The day was capped off by the community choir with participants from a wide variety of area churches.
The Second Annual Putnam County Day of Health was a testament to the power of community collaboration. Partners for the event included Putnam General Hospital, Mercer Medicine Putnam County, Putnam County Family Connection, and the Department of Public Health. These partners joined together with many churches that contributed, including New Life Outreach Christian Center (NLOCC), Union Baptist, Texas AME, St. John AME, Ebenezer Baptist, 2nd Birth, Abundant Life Word Fellowship, Zion Covenant, Crossroads Baptist, First Baptist, First Methodist, and Marshall Memorial Baptist.
The Day of Health was an outgrowth of Putnam County’s Faith in Rural Health collaboration. Sponsored by the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center, Mercer University School of Medicine, and Mercer’s McAfee School of Theology, the Faith in Rural Health Program was created to bring faith leaders and health care providers in rural Georgia counties together to address their community’s health care needs. Putnam County’s collaboration embodies the dream of this program. Faith leaders and health care providers have created a powerful partnership with the goal of saving lives in Putnam County. By working together, local organizations, physicians and health care professionals, and community members created a successful event that promotes health and wellness for everyone. This event is evidence that the collaboration has begun to reshape how the community works together to meet their own health care challenges.