ST. REGIS – Tricon employees and their families were presented with an opportunity for a free lunch as well as receive information on staying healthy during the Tricon Health Fair Friday at the St. Regis Community Center.

As one of the largest employers in the county, it is very important to both the company and the community to keep their employees healthy. This health fair was a collaborative effort of Tricon and the Mineral Community Hospital.

According to Stacey Neill, safety director at Tricon, the hospital played a huge part in setting up the event with representatives from all of their departments available to answer questions and provide certain services. One table had samples of protein snacks and smoothies available while another administered flu shots. Information on other tests, screenings and vaccinations were available, but were not administered on site.

Neill said the representatives from MCH were only doing flu shots and any other tests or vaccinations would need to be scheduled through a primary care physician.

Anyone looking for information on medical care providers and insurance groups could find information at the other tables set up around the room. Everything from general care physicians to dental offices were represented. A few tables were from groups promoting safety awareness.

The entire event was tailored to ensure people stay healthy and take care of themselves if something does happen.

“Our employees are the most important part of our organization,” said Angelo Ververis, general manager at Tricon. “They’re everything to the organization, so anything we can do to help them out, we’re on it.”

The fair was not just a sterile medical environment, however, there was a distinct family-friendly atmosphere as well. A complimentary lunch, provided by MCH, was available with a choice of chicken noodle or beef soup, bread rolls, juice packets, cookies and apple slices.

Several games, which would be fun for all ages, were also available. There was a golfing challenge where a player had to putt five balls into the hole. The best scores were in the running to win a Tricon jacket. Outside, in the community center’s lawn, was a 2x4 toss. The goal was to throw a wooden stud as far as possible. During one 2x4 toss a participant threw it so hard the board broke.

According to Ververis, the event was primarily tailored to general care services and to keep people healthy on a daily basis. He explained how on-the-job safety concerns, while certainly an issue, were handled during company orientations, meetings and training.

“That wasn’t what this was set up for,” said Ververis. “This was more for personal health.”

Some of the medical service booths also had games set up. A dentist’s office had a game of Pin the Toothbrush on the Tooth. Another booth, from Buckle-Up Montana, had a spinning wheel full of questions about car seats and when to use them.

According to Neill, this was the second health fair Tricon has held this year. The other one was held during the spring. While this is the first year for these events, Neill said they have seen plenty of success from the community and their employees. According to Neill, the spring event saw around 100 people.

Neil said Tricon hopes to make the health fair an annual event.