For Information Contact:

Brian Adey
 798-5800

Griffo Announces Oneida County
Community Health Festival on 9/25
 

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced that Oneida County will hold a major community health event. Griffo said the Oneida County Community Health Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 25^th, at Sangertown Square Mall in New Hartford. The event is co-sponsored by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.

“Wellness is a critical public health issue in an era when at any given moment, more than 30 percent of men and 45 percent of women are trying to lose weight, and the number of obese children is rising astronomically,” Griffo said. “The Community Health Festival is a great place to continue our wellness effort that I began in Rome . Those attending can access medical screenings to provide baseline numbers, and will know whatever level of exercise it will take to get fit and stay fit.”

Griffo, who initiated Community Health Fairs and Healthy Communities projects during his tenure as mayor of Rome , said community wellness efforts help everyone, which is why he has singled out community wellness projects as a major initiative.

“ Healthy Communities efforts make our neighborhoods better places in which to live and strengthen our bonds of community,” Griffo said. “Our experience in Rome was that people felt better. When you feel better about yourself, you feel better about your surroundings, and you have the energy to tackle issues to make your community better. Second, the more people got out of the house and out to exercise, the more they interacted with other people. Making friendships is another way that we all feel better about our lives.”

Griffo also noted that county residents who take steps to address health issues gain in several ways. “Walking and other ways to improve your health are a lot more enjoyable and less expensive than letting things get out of control,” he said. “The longer we keep ourselves in shape, the longer we can lead active, productive and enjoyable lives.”

Griffo urged area residents to take advantage of the free health screenings that will be offered through the festival from 10 am to 4 pm.

 “People who stop at the Health Festival will be able to have free health screenings that will give them the facts they need to know about everything from blood pressure to cholesterol, levels,” he said. “They will learn how they can address issues with their general health, and how to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Cynthia C. Hummel, regional president of Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield said “The September 25^th Community Health Festival will include information on Excellus’ new STEP UP program. STEP UP is designed to encourage small steps that improve health, such as adding more fruits and vegetables to one’s diet, or walking up stairs instead of taking the elevator.”

“We’re pleased to be part of this new county-wide event and congratulated County Executive Griffo on recognizing that a healthier community is a more successful community.”

 Other supporters of the event include WKTV, Clear Channel Radio and Sangertown Square .

The festival will also include fitness demonstrations and information from over 40 and health-related organizations. Exhibitors will include: the Oneida County Health Department, Oneida County Office for the Aging, Visiting Nurses Association, Alzheimer’s Association,, Rome Memorial Hospital , Heritage Health Care, Hospice, EPIC, Resource Center for Independent Living, and Mohawk Valley Council on Alcoholism and Addition.

Fitness demonstrations will be provided from 11 am to 3 pm by Valley Gymnastics, Elderlife’s Disco Dolls, Brick Bodies Health & Fitness Club, Hungry Mungry, YWCA, Veils of the Valley, Boilermaker Road Race and Pat Palmisano.