Aberdeen Health & Wellness Fair Attracts Large Crowds

Large crowds turned out for Aberdeen’s first Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 6 at Matawan Regional High School.

An estimated 500 to 600 attendees took part in the four-hour event that featured over 45 exhibitors from Aberdeen and surrounding communities representing the medical, dental, physical therapy, behavioral health and exercise fields. Exhibitors also included social service organizations, merchants who carry health-related products, and several Aberdeen businesses who offered free samplings of healthy foods and drinks, as well as healthy cooking tips.

Over 100 attendees received free screenings for blood pressure, pulse, glucose, Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol and stroke provided by Hackensack Meridian Health, while 50 people received vision testing by the Commission for the Blind.

The event—coordinated by the Aberdeen Economic Business Council, Township Council, Matawan Regional High School, Monmouth County Health Department and Hackensack Meridian Health—received positive reviews from organizers, vendors and attendees.

Among the 115 guests completing comment cards as they left the event, 99% said they would return for another Health Fair. Asked to assess key aspects of the event on a scale of one to five (with five being the best), 78% of the respondents rated the variety of exhibitors a “five,” 18% gave a “four” rating and 4% gave a “three.” Similarly, 80% rated the quality of information given by exhibitors a “five,” 18% gave a rating of “four” and 2% gave a “three.”

“The Health Fair far exceeded my expectations,” said Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini. “In talking with the health care providers and attendees, I can definitely say that they were overwhelmingly pleased with all aspects of the event.”

“I want to thank everyone for helping to create what’s believed to be the most successful health fair that Monmouth County has ever seen,” added EBC Chairman Carmine Visone. “As a result of everyone's help and support over the past eight months of planning, it went off flawlessly. Based on the response from the health care community and public, we hope to make this an ongoing event.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Dawn Smith, Program Coordinator, Community Outreach & Engagement, for Hackensack-Meridian Health, who expressed her appreciation for the support provided to the Hackensack Meriden team by the event’s organizers. In particular, she pointed to the efforts of students from Matawan Regional High School’s Business Academy who, under the direction of Visone, played a big role in organizing the event and assisted in a number of ways at the fair. “The students were right there making sure we had everything we needed,” said Smith. “The effort and pride that went into this nicely run program was evident.”

In addition to the indoor exhibits, guests of all ages enjoyed ‘Touch-A-Truck’ vehicles and other displays from Aberdeen’s police, fire, CERT, first aid and public works departments, and a Star Car Exhibits display of vehicles from famous movies and television shows. The outdoor section also included a mobile unit from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department providing finger printing for children and senior citizens.

The Aberdeen Health and Wellness Fair was made possible with generous support from the following businesses and health care providers: Addison Park; American Family Care Urgent Care; Cunningham Orthopaedics; Hackensack Meridian Health, LLC; Home Away From Home Academy; Livoti’s Old World Market; ProFysio Physical Therapy; Smoothie King; The Cambridge Club of Aberdeen; and Veritas Recovery Center, who all participated as Banner Sponsors. Other sponsors included Aberdeen Townsquare; Alert Ambulance Service Inc.; Ani Medical Group; Grace Abounds Counseling, LLC; Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce; Jonathan Min, DDS; William Moskowitz, DDS, FAGD, LLC; Pivotal Pilates; and Rejuvenate Center for Medical Aesthetics, Health and Wellness.