The Get Better Crozet Community Fair—a volunteer health fair––is planned for Saturday, Sept.14 in Claudius Crozet Park from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Organizer Nathan Alderman said the fair is designed to connect Crozet residents with the resources and services that directly improve their lives and health. The fair is being sponsored by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ivy, with space in the pavilions donated by Crozet Park.
Alderman, who lives in Crozet and is the vice-chair of the Crozet Community Advisory Committee, said he’s become familiar with many of Crozet’s neighborhoods in the course of other volunteer work and has seen firsthand how difficult it is for those with serious health issues to find the resources they need. Whether it’s a chronic condition or a sudden illness or injury, poor health causes a cascade of other difficulties, including losing work and lack of mobility.
Alderman has found that trying to spread more kindness in the world helps him deal with anxiety. “We all need help sometimes,” he said. “There shouldn’t be any shame in that. I wanted to put on this health fair to directly connect people in our area who need help with people who could provide it.”
Alderman’s goal for the fair is that everyone will leave with at least one tangible, immediate benefit to their health or safety, he said, “whether that’s a vaccination, a health screening, some over-the-counter medication they can use, or a device that can help keep them safer at home.”
He’s still recruiting health care agencies, and has gotten a commitment from Sentara Crozet Family Medicine for free health screenings. He’s also inviting local churches that offer food pantries, personal hygiene products, transportation, or other goods or services for people who need them.
Alderman notes that, though he’s been an active volunteer in local and regional politics, the fair is not a political event, and any political, religious, or civic group is invited to help with the fair’s organization.
Anyone with a health or safety service to offer can participate by contacting Alderman, [email protected], 240-423-7335.
