Last Saturday Shoshone Medical Center hosted its annual Kids Health Fair at SMC’s Health and Wellness Center in Smelterville.

The event has become synonymous with the beginning of the school year and has continued to grow consistently over the years.

The free fair allows parents and kids to come and enjoy several activities. It is also a venue for some much needed community outreach.

Sponsors and other groups operated booths where attendees received various items, as well as invaluable advice on health and safe living.

“The event went wonderfully,” SMC patient and community services coordinator Emily Miller said. “The Kids Health Fair is completely free for the community and that is made possible by the amazing sponsors and donors who give each year to this fantastic event. The focus for all who participate is 100 percent on the kids and you could really feel that purpose at each booth.”

The fair was well attended, with more than 600 people stopping by during the three-hour event.

One of the more popular parts of the fair is the coat drive and donation where families can get coats for their children at no cost to them.

“We had about 600 attendees and were about to distribute roughly 325 coats to the children in attendance,” Miller said. “We are able to provide the coats and other supplies thanks to the generous donations from the community.”

In small communities like the Silver Valley, events and fairs like these are so important, and SMC staff were thankful for the many businesses and groups which saw that importance as well and partnered with them.

“We are so very fortunate to have so many community partners within our valley,” Miller said. “Partners who truly care about our residents and go above and beyond to provide education, assistance and multiple opportunities for health and safety awareness.”