News & Updates

2018 Kids Care Fest in Lemon Grove offered healthcare screenings and services for hundreds of children and families

November 15, 2018 General

Photo Credit: David Zumaya

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) provided hundreds of free health screenings and services at its recent Kids Care Fest, an annual event where families learn more about preventable health conditions and connect with providers for future care.

Held on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center, this year’s Kids Care Fest featured a variety of health services from several local community clinics. Services included vision and dental screenings, blood pressure screenings, as well as flu shots and children’s wellness checkups. Close to 400 healthcare services and screenings were provided, along with more than 60 flu shots to both adults and children, according to GHD representatives.

The event also featured information about health insurance and social services from organizations all over San Diego County, along with free kids fingerprinting from the Santee-Lakeside Rotary Club and free groceries from Heaven’s Windows, a San Diego Food Bank partner. Additional free activities included rock climbing, inflatable obstacle course and pony rides. Also available was free children’s reading and coloring books.

Local high school and college student volunteers 

Healthcare partners supporting GHD’s 2018 Kids Care Fest included Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Rady Children’s Hospital, Borrego Community Health Foundation, University of California at San Diego Eye Mobile for Children, La Maestra Community Health Centers, Family Health Centers of San Diego, Neighborhood Healthcare, Mountain Health & Community Services., Champions for Health, Community Research Foundation and the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency. Other community partners supporting this year’s Kids Care Fest included the City of Lemon Grove, Lemon Grove School District, Community Health Improvement Partners, KUSI-NEWS and Radio Latina 104.5-FM. The Grossmont Union High School District and Grossmont College also provided health career pathway students and nursing students for volunteer support.

For the past 17 years, the GHD has presented Kids Care Fest. It was the first year for Kids Care Fest to be held in Lemon Grove. Over the years, the annual health fair has been held in a number of locations in the 750-square mile GHD service region, including Lakeside at the rodeo grounds and La Mesa at Briercrest Park. Plans are currently underway for Kids Care Fest to return to Lemon Grove in 2019.

Visit the Kids Care Fest event website to learn more about its history, mission and purpose, and click here for scenes from this year.