HOLLYWOOD — With summer just around the corner, the Tribe’s health department is not wasting anytime getting Tribal members ready for an active season in the sun. From March 12-16, each reservation held a free health fair to bring health information to Tribal members.

At Hollywood’s fair on March 14, dozens of people gathered at the Classic gymnasium where approximately 50 vendors offered wellness information.

Lauren Goas, Hollywood health educator, helped facilitate the event and explained that unlike many health events, this one emphasized all aspects of wellness.

“It’s just a good way for people to come see not only what the Tribe has to offer, but also what there is locally wellness wise because a lot of people don’t know what’s around,” she said. “Typically when we think of wellness, we think of nutrition and exercise, and those things are correct, but wellness is something of a whole. It has to do with wellness financially, mentally, with your family and the people around you.”

Everyone who attended the event received a health fair passport which they got stamped by the vendors. Once people got 20 stamps, they were entered into a raffle for a prize and received a ticket for free lunch. Goas said the passports made sure that visitors spent more time talking with vendors because at many events, people attend for free food and don’t get the information they need.

“It was just a push for them to get outside of the box and see what there is to offer,” she said, adding that the passport idea proved successful. “There are so many different organizations and things in our community that can help them with their wellness and help them be better as a whole.”

The health fairs were a part of a week of wellness events sponsored by Human Resources. The week consisted of walks, stress management seminars, employee assistance programs and financial literacy seminars throughout the reservations, as well as daily newsletters throughout the week with wellness tips, such as improving the work and personal life balance and stress management.