The Wellness Fair featured staff from Scheie Eye Institute on hand to discuss all things vision-related. (Photo: Rick Cawley)
Submitted by the office of State Rep. Tariq Khan (Democrat, 194th District)
On Saturday, June 1, State Assemblyman Tariq Khan (Democrat, 194th District) hosted two community events: a free shredding event at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church from 11am to 1pm, and a spring wellness event in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania a few blocks away at Cathedral Village.
I live very close to the IHM so I came early to photograph the scene. When I arrived at 10:20am (40 minutes early), there were already 20 cars lined up, with nearby residents excited to get rid of their bulky documents. As a result, staff from Councilman Khan’s district office decided to get an early start and immediately got to work, directing the line and helping residents unload their documents into the shredding truck.
By the end of the event, approximately 200 residents had taken advantage of the free service and safely disposed of sensitive documents while protecting themselves against identity theft.
Participants brought everything from old bank statements and medical records to personal letters and outdated files, and many said they were grateful for the opportunity to safely shred their documents and protect themselves from the risks of identity theft.
“At a recent shredding event, I had the opportunity to speak with residents who had recently lost a loved one. By participating in the event, they were able to get rid of those documents and find peace of mind by letting go of painful memories. This was a poignant reminder of the importance of events like this in helping community members both physically and mentally, often in surprising ways,” said Councilman Khan.
At the same time, just down the street, Cathedral Village hosted a health fair in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania to provide valuable services and information. Local medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and health specialists, offered free medical exams, health information and consultations to residents. Attendees had their blood pressure measured, blood sugar tested and vision screened, leaving them with a clearer picture of their health and some even scheduling follow-up appointments.
“It was heartening to see how much the community appreciated having health information in one place. Many shared how difficult it was to make an appointment or navigate the health care system, so having it all available at the fair made a huge difference for them. Moments like this remind us of what we can do to improve access to health care for our neighbors,” said Jill Weingarten Stein, Director of Resident Services.
Feedback from both events was overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees appreciated the convenience of having the shredding services and health fair close by, highlighting the importance of community-focused events such as these. One attendee said, “It was nice to be able to take care of my personal safety and health needs in one trip. I feel more secure and informed about my health.”
“Our recent shredding event and health fair are great examples of how government and elected officials can use the power of their office to serve their communities and protect their neighbors. We are truly pleased to be able to provide this valuable service to our neighbors,” Khan said.
Next, Rep. Khan’s district office will be hosting a registration event for free Senior Fare Cards on June 11th from 4pm to 7pm at the Chestnut Hill Library (9601 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118). You may also see Rep. Khan going door-to-door around town to let neighbors know about state services his office can help with.
For more information about upcoming events or ongoing legislative activity, please visit his office at 4001 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127 or call (215) 482-8726.
