Orland Township gets kids ready with Back-to-School Health Fair

 Children with Cook County Sheriff K9 Samantha at the Orland Township Back-to-School Health Fair.

By Kelly White

Orland Township helped to get students in the community ready to get back to school by holding its annual Back-To-School Health Fair.

Presented by Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Orland Township Board of Trustees, the free health fair was held on Saturday, July 15, at the township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park.

“The Back-to-School Health Fair is something we look forward to providing year after year,” Supervisor Paul O’Grady said. “It’s a fantastic way to get kids prepared to go back to school. While our focus here is making sure everyone is healthy with onsite physicals and immunizations for those in need, it’s also a chance to have some fun with some great vendors that provide great activities and information to our residents.”

School physicals for both sports and health, were available for $35 for township residents and $45 for non-residents, with proof of residency required.

The township partnered with Walmart Pharmacy to provide immunizations, by appointment only. Immunizations through Walmart are open to all attendees, regardless of insurance status or residency.

Free services and activities included at the health fair included: haircuts, provided by Salon Evangelos, delicious treats and beverages, a complimentary hot dog and a bag of potato chips and so much more.

Over 16 vendors were on-site, including: Orland Park Bank & Trust, the Orland Park Public Library, Sahara’s Face Painting, Orland Township Food Pantry (qualifying resident families were able to receive school supplies from the Orland Township Food Pantry and is based on availability), Marcus Theater providing complimentary popcorn, Ticho Eye Associates, Orland Township Youth Services, the Cook County Sheriff Department, American School Bus, RTA, Children of America, Oly Farms Petting Zoo and plenty of generous raffles, provided by Orland Park’s very own, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery.

Additionally, the Secretary of State Mobile Unit was also be onsite for guests to utilize; student’s birth certificates and passports were available, along with social security cards, and driver’s license and Illinois State IDs.

Orland Park’s police and fire departments met with families and showcased several safety demonstrations.

“Students will be back in school before we know it,” O’Grady said. “Support for our schoolchildren, parents, and teachers needs to be easily accessible. We did just that at the Back-to-School Health Fair.”

The township has been providing the fair for more than a decade and plans to continue the annual tradition.

“This was a perfect day to get the kids ready for school,” Diane Goerg, Health Service Coordinator for Orland Township, said. “Receive all their shots that are required by law and physicals if they are in sports, spruce them up with a great haircut, get them a State ID from Secretary of State, enjoy a complimentary hotdog and chips, fun face painting and enjoy the petting zoo. This was a great event to help the kids in the community and to get everything done so they are ready for to get back to school stress free.”

Orland Township’s Back-to-School Health Fair held on July 15 at the township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park.