HOMELESS, VETERANS GIVEN ASSISTANCE
Hundreds of men and women from Fort Wayne have traveled the globe to serve our country, only to find that when they return they don’t have a place to live or employment. So once again, area businesses and schools teamed up and offered their service to homeless, uninsured and underinsured people in our community through the 23rd annual Healthy Cities Fair and 17th annual Veterans Stand Down, held this year at the Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic, 413 E. Jefferson Blvd. in Fort Wayne.
“Volunteers for this event is key,” said Joy Olroy assisting with the day’s event.
Many healthcare students from IPFW, Ivy Tech and University of St. Francis gave of their services. And, some are workers from local hospitals, healthcare clinics, churches, veterans’ organizations, local businesses and the community.
Over 350 volunteers altogether worked from 7:30am to 3:30pm at the Healthy Cities Health Fair and Veterans Stand Down. The hallways of the Matthew 25 building were packed where they provided health screenings, dental and physical checkups. Blood sugar and cholesterol checks, adult immunizations, TB, HIV, Syphilis, Sickle-Cell, blood pressure, vision, depression, foot, lead and osteoporosis screenings, and various cancer screenings including Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammograph. As well as, clothes, a haircut and a meal.
That morning there were over 500 coats in the tent. “Coats, hats, scarves, mittens were all there for the taking. They were all pretty much gone at the end of our event,” commented Olroy. “If there are any remaining we take them to the Rescue Mission.”
This event is a combined effort of the Healthy Cities Committee, the Veterans’ Administration Northern Indiana and the Wayne Township Trustee’s office.
President of the Healthy Cities Committee, Barbara Schoppman said nearly 600 people received care on Friday, Nov. 1st.
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