The Dalton-Whitfield NAACP is set to host its annual Community Health Fair on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19, 2024. This event will take place at the Mack Gaston Community Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering a range of free health screenings, flu shots, wellness activities, and community resources to the public.
Now in its third year, the health fair aims to honor the legacy of Dr. King through meaningful service and community care. Chelsea DeWaters, the communications chair for the Dalton-Whitfield NAACP, emphasized the chapter’s commitment to serving the community. “Our chapter is so much about serving the community and providing ways for people to come together and connect with resources,” DeWaters stated.
This year, the fair will expand its offerings, emphasizing hands-on care and preventative health measures. Attendees can access free services such as blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, A1C and cholesterol screenings, hearing tests, and wellness education. For the first time, free flu shots will also be available.
“We’ve made it more of a nurturing experience this year,” DeWaters explained. “You can come and get a real check-up for free—blood pressure, A1C, weight checks—and start the year with a better understanding of your health.” The event will also feature fitness activities, free massages, and educational opportunities.
Community Engagement and Support
An exercise room will offer sessions of Silver Sneakers and chair yoga every 15 minutes, starting at 11:45 a.m. Additionally, door prizes will be awarded throughout the fair, with participants required to be present to win.
DeWaters highlighted that the event reflects the NAACP’s mission of bringing people together on a day of significant meaning. “It’s a way to spend this really sacred day together, literally taking care of each other as a community,” she said. “We’re gathering to remember Dr. King but also to do the work of caring for one another.”
The success of the event is attributed to the staff at the Mack Gaston Community Center, particularly Michael Robinson, the new community center director. “Michael and his team have put in a tremendous amount of work to ensure everything runs smoothly on their day off,” DeWaters noted, underscoring the importance of this initiative for both the center and the community.
Participating organizations will include healthcare providers, fitness and wellness groups, housing and insurance advocates, legal services, and mental health resources. These groups will provide both educational information and direct services in one accessible location.
The NAACP encourages community members of all ages to attend. Many of the offered services are difficult to access for free, making this event especially valuable. “It’s not just about honoring Dr. King in words,” DeWaters concluded. “It’s about honoring that legacy through action.”
