By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

Thirty organizations gathered at Crown in Glory Lutheran Church for a revived health fair on Friday.

Hattie Massey, event organizer, said it was her first time organizing the event. She said the church has not held a health fair for 10 years.

“This is the biggest of the big,” she said.

Massey said Patricia Ricks, church member and member of the Salisbury Planning Board, suggested that she take the lead with the fair. Massey decided to do it because it was something that she has never done before.

Massey said she was able to pull it off because everyone was welcoming and helpful.

“They have done nothing but good things to get me in the swing of things,” she said.

Massey got a list of vendors that was put together from previous health fairs and invited them to attend.

Thrivent Financial provided T-shirts for the workers that had the words “Live Generously” printed on them.

The vendors had tables set up all over the church with informational brochures and small goodies.

Some participating vendors included Community in Schools, AARP, Lutheran Services Carolina, Seniors Health Insurance Information Program and First Care Medical Clinic.

The Rowan County Health Department also had a table at the event. Tad Helmstetler, environmental health supervisor, said people stopped by asking about food and well water safety.

“Environmental health is really about education,” he said, also saying an event like this one was the perfect way to get information out into the community.

Edna Gillispiern was at the fair representing the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., of Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church.

She provided free blood pressure screenings to at least 15 attendees. She was also giving out information about hypertension and some of the health problems it could lead to.

“We’re trying to prevent those outcomes,” she said.

Carolinas HealthCare System had three departments represented at the event. A Carolinas HealthCare System’s mobile mammography health van was parked in front of the church providing mammograms for attendees.

Linda Pigg, Health Ministry coordinator for Carolinas HealthCare System’s Faith Community Health Ministry, had paper screenings attendees could fill out to tell them their risk for developing diabetes.

Pigg said Carolinas HealthCare System has a partnership with the church through the Faith Community Health Ministry. She said while the church is known for healing the soul and medical centers are known for healing the body, the ministry combines the two.

“We’re the thing that brings that together,” she said.

The organization is partnering with about 27 churches in Rowan County. Pigg said there is either a nurse or a layperson who works in the church who is trained to provide holistic health services and education.

Pigg said that churches do not need to partner with Carolinas HealthCare System to start a health ministry, but those who would like to partner can contact the program by calling 704-403-4742 or emailing her at linda.pigg@CarolinasHealthcare.org.

Organizer Hattie Massey said she was glad all of the vendors could come together to help the community.

“When it’s all said and done, it makes you feel good,” Massey said.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.