LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Mercy Health–St. Rita’s, Activate Allen County and the Central Lima Neighborhood Association teamed up Saturday to host the Here’s to Your Health Block Party at Reading Park across from the hospital.
The event aimed to break down barriers to improve residents’ mind, body and spirit. The block party featured fun activities for kids, free food and, most importantly, a variety of resources to help people facing challenges such as food insecurity, financial difficulties, or questions about mental or physical health. Organizers said the goal was to connect residents with services that could help them in the future.
“Maybe not today, but they're acting on it, and they have information to then follow up on and make really some impacts and change in their lives. And then that goes for the medical side as well. You know, they might not have ever thought about getting a mammogram, but today they have talked to somebody that said, ‘Hey, you're within that age range to get one,’ and they follow up on that,” said Catherine Lusky, community health coordinator for Mercy Health–St. Rita’s.
Children also had the chance to test their riding skills at a Bike Rodeo in St. Rita’s parking lot. The event, a partnership between the Lima Police Department and the Bike and Pedestrian Task Force, taught kids proper safety and techniques for biking, including the importance of wearing a properly sized helmet.
