The Oak Park Chamber of Commerce held its annual Health and Wellness Fair Sunday, drawing hundreds of visitors to the noon event aimed at spreading the word about the medical resources available in the area.
This year, the Chamber of Commerce held the fair at the new Community Recreation Center. The center is a popular spot in the park district, with facilities including a walking track, sports courts and a fully equipped gymnasium, and the fair is spread over two floors.
Darien Marion Barton, president of the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce, said the growing event and its ambitious goals were made possible in response to community support and growing needs.
“Bringing 90 different vendors into one room is no small feat, and community support makes it possible,” Marion-Barton said.
The new location has allowed for some growth. Although most of the exhibitors remained in his room on the second floor, the first floor offered something new to the fair’s visitors.
In the basketball gym on the second floor, the trade show’s usual collection of medical providers gathered, tables lined with brochures advertising a variety of services, from window repairs to health insurance plans to specific treatment facilities, and people asking questions. A busy crowd had gathered.
Another room, one floor below the fair, also included a wellness area where attendees could sample the benefits of massages and crafts, or take a break with cool cucumber water. Organizers said the setting was meant to demonstrate the need for residents to understand that health care is self-care, and self-care requires addressing all stressors and needs.
“Honestly, it’s everything from financial health to mental health to physical health,” Marion Burton said. “Everything is somewhere in between.”
He noted that one company offers a service to fix leaky windows to reduce heating and cooling costs in drafty homes. This is a necessary fix for many aging homes and is an important part of a family’s physical comfort.
The vendor was at the same venue as the Comedy Plex. Comedy Plex is a comedy club that hosts shows and classes for aspiring comedians, as well as traditional medical services.
“This place is about breaking down barriers,” Marion Barton said.
Participants visited a wellness room filled with soft light and soothing scents. First United Methodist Church, one of the fair’s sponsors, had a table in the corner, and the pastor explained that even churches have a mission to address more than just the spiritual needs of the community. She said any effort to improve health must take into account all the factors that can improve a person.
“Health is a daily habit,” said Pastor Adna Reed. “If any of these components aren’t in top condition, it’s like a car with a flat tire. It can move, but it doesn’t move smoothly.”
Reed said churches these days have to be more than just a Sunday place for people.
“We’re here because we want to be involved in the community,” Reed said.
Some of the work her church does is traditional service, like helping feed the hungry, but she also connects people with local health care providers who might be able to help. I am also happy to be a resource for people to connect with.
“My hope is that the church and I can be a bridge between the community and bring all of this together,” she said.
Some participants come to the spring event every year, while others are attending for the first time.
Barbara Woods was one of the latter, and she said she liked what she saw. Woods was using the community health center’s truck and stopped by after seeing a flyer about the fair.
“I’m sorry I missed it,” she said with a laugh.
Woods said she had her blood pressure checked, which came back positive, and received a tote bag filled with information on how to stay healthy.
“I talked to so many people,” she said. “This is great.”
Jesse Wright is a freelancer.
