Pony Rides, Games and Entertainment Lure Kids to Health Screenings

Melissa Palmer of Lakeside came with her four children and their friend as a way to get them out of the house. She said she has all their health-care needs taken care of, but wanted something fun to do on a Saturday.

“They love coming here,” she said. “They just asked if they held it every weekend.”

An overcast morning didn’t stop throngs from attending the 10th annual Kids Care Fest, hosted by the Grossmont Healthcare District and the city of La Mesa. The event works to make basic health care accessible to all children, especially from low-income or underinsured families.

For Lakeside’s Palmer, her kids had already stopped by the face painting station, so the next item on the agenda was the pony ride―something near and dear to longtime district board member Gloria Chadwick.

According to Chadwick, the first Kids Care Fest was held in 2002 and put together in just 30 days. They had about 200 participants, and offered pony rides and pictures as an incentive to the children who went to every health-care station.

“Now it’s gotten so big that we just do the pony rides,” said Chadwick in between taking Polaroid’s of the little equestrians.

With pharmacists, dentists, dermatologists and pediatricians on hand throughout the day, free screenings were provided to children 12 and under.

Adults also were offered free flu shots―200 to be exact, which were paid for by the district.

Deborah McElravy, district board president and a pharmacist for 37 years, worked almost constantly preparing vaccinations.

“[There’s been] a line since we started,” said McElravy, who estimated they’d administered 60 in the two hours since the event started. “Mostly [people] appreciate that they didn’t have to pay and that it’s been made accessible to them.”

But for many, “the draw is for the kids’ stuff” as one La Mesa dad put it. 

“Not that I don’t like health,” he added. “I’m healthy, honest.”

More people meant more services and supplies offered―even in the book department.

Kathy Quinn, the district’s library director, has been taking part in Kids Care Fest for the past five years and remembered giving away 500 books. Last year, that amount almost doubled.

Saturday’s attendance was expected to be at least 1,300, though organizers will have to review the check-in sheets and count the number of goody bags given away for a final count.

Whatever the number, it’s bound to be bigger than last year―a trend since the beginning.

Kids Care Fest took place at from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.