The Mission Team first sponsored the Childrenís Health and Safety (CHS) Fair in 2008, with offerings that included more than seventeen local social service agencies and businesses. Each agency brings expertise and resources on some aspect of childrenís health and safety. Attendance at the CHS Fair in 2008 topped 2,000, confirming the need seen in the community for such a mission.
While the Monroe Gym is being used by Interfaith Minstries to distribute the Back-to-School Apple Tree supplies and clothing to families in need, the East Courtyard of the church (between Mulberry and Sycamore Streets) serves as the staging area for the Health and Safety Fair to offer -- free of charge -- valuable health and safety screenings to students before they return to school.
Free immunizations, vision screenings, dental hygiene info and supplies, nutrition screenings and much more are available. The Denton Fire Department supplies a fire truck on site and offers safety tips. Participants can talk to the Denton Family Resource Center about booster seats. Ready Start conducts early childhood development screenings, and WIC offers nutrition screenings. Representatives of the Peopleís Clinic come to the Health and Safety Fair to discuss Medicaid and to take applications.
A sampling of the participating agencies in 2009 are: