Activate Allen County and Mercy Health want to make sure that families are on the path to having a healthy holiday.  The Heathy Families Expo was full of activities for the kids and information about area resources for adults.  The young people could enjoy the bounce house, or get a balloon sculptures, and get their face painting.   Adults could visit one of dozens of booths to learn about local programs to help promote a healthy mind, body, spirit.   Stedic Music helped keep the crowd entertained throughout the afternoon. Plus, with the help of Santa and one of his reindeer, the Expo shows that the holidays could be more than just merry and bright. 

Activate Allen County is giving local families the opportunity to stay educated about their health.  They will be hosting their Healthy Families Expo for the fifth year in a row on November 19th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Civic and Convention Center in Downtown Lima. This year is sponsored by Mercy Health. They have two special guests, one being Santa and his reindeer all the way from North Pole.   Who families can get pictures with and Stedic Music, who will be providing all who attend with live entertainment.

Applications for the 4th annual "Activated Faith Community Challenge" are being accepted. Churches and any faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply with a project that will better the health of their members. Ten groups can get up to $1,000 to help put their idea into motion.

Kayla Monfort with Activate Allen County explains, "There's just so many partners and so many collaborators are coming to the table to really look at these issues and that's really a testament too the work of Activate but also the work of so many community partners that are willing to come to that table, willing to have those conversations and put the work in to what it takes to improve the health of our youth and our entire community."

Activate Allen County’s Kayla Monfort adds, “The benefits of community gardening are great. You get to know your neighbors, you get outside, you get to beautify Lima. You eat healthier foods and learn a new skill even if you’ve never gardened in the past.

Activate Allen County has partnered with Mercy Health-St. Rita's and ONU's Health Wise Mobile Clinic to promote Activate Change-Quit. The program offers free services to help people who want to try and quite smoking or tobacco products. Provided is group or individual counseling and nicotine patches. You can make an appointment with Mercy Health (419-996-5633 ext. 2) or you can visit the mobile clinic which will be at he West Ohio Food Bank from 9 to 11 every Tuesday morning through August. Or you can schedule a time at the clinic at eventbrite.com and search "popular in Lima."

A local partnership is providing residents the chance to learn about healthier eating. Activate Allen County has partnered with Paramount Health Advantage and Save-A-Lot to take Lima residents on an interactive tour of the grocery store. Participants learned from a dietitian about healthy eating on a budget, including better ways to read labels. Participants also were able to ask questions in regards to diets. Tours will be held throughout the year and are limited to the first 10 residents to sign up. At the end of the tour they will receive a $10 gift card to Save-A-Lot.