CUTLINE: Palmer Luth photo: Representatives from Palmer Lutheran Community Health who have been working with Valley Community Coalition in preparation for the Youth Health and Well-Being Fair are (l-r) Joann Boyer, Jamie Hoey, and Deb Kelly. Kelly is holding the “Drunk Goggles” that will be one of the hands-on activities at the fair, which will be Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Elgin Legion Hall.

VCC youth fair reaches out to North Fayette Valley

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

A Youth Health and Well-Being Fair will be held Wednesday, Sept. 18, to inform all North Fayette Valley students, parents, and community members about resources that are available to support youth and families in the area. 

The open house is being sponsored by the Valley Community Coalition (VCC) as it begins its transition into becoming the North Fayette Valley Community Coalition. The current VCC Steering Team is anxious to share, partner, encourage, and assist in expanding youth support throughout the NFV community.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the entire NFV community to come together and work to support our youth,” stated Allen Knox, who is the fund development coordinator for VCC.

The fair, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Elgin Legion Hall, will have exhibitors from Palmer Lutheran Community Health and Helping Services for Northeast Iowa. They will be providing some hands-on educational learning experiences in health and well-being, as well as information about the different social challenges that exist in our area.

There will also be representatives from Students Ok Without Drugs and Alcohol (SODA), the VCC mentoring program, and the VCC parent network. The goal is to acquaint as many NFVHS students and parents as possible with the numerous support resources that exist and to consider how best to continue supporting youth in the community.

Tractor/wagon and bus rides to the VCC office and Youth Center in Elgin will be provided during the event, as well as free hamburgers and pork burgers to those in attendance. Among the door prizes is a Trek 820 All Terrain Mountain Bike, donated by the Valley Community Coalition and the TRC Planning Team.

“We are hoping that anyone who may not be familiar with what the coalition does will attend to find out what is already being done and perhaps volunteer to help out in some area that will benefit our youth,” explained Knox.

Families are encouraged to attend, and new supporters of the program are always needed and welcome. If you would like additional information about this upcoming event or any information regarding VCC, please contact the Valley Community Coalition at (563) 426-5599.