NMC’s annual heart-healthy fun-for-all-ages event is coming up March 5 at St. Albans City School, from 9 a.m. to noon. In its fourth year, the activity-focused health fair has become a very popular winter event, drawing nearly 300 attendees last year for physical activities, free health screenings, massage, kids play, informational booths and interactive demonstrations.

This year, we are teaming up with Northwestern Counseling and Support Service’s Building Bright Futures to provide the engaging family activities in the school’s large gymnasium. The partnership brings together two local healthcare organizations for a great cause: promoting active, healthy lifestyles.

Healthy Hearts focuses on cardiovascular health as a serious issue for our community. It was identified as one of the top ten priorities of the new Community Health Needs Assessment and several of the related heart disease risk factors also rose to the top of the list of priorities.

At the event, attendees use a Passport to map out their health journey, gathering stamps along the way that help them assess their own personal level of risk for heart disease. Completed passports offer a chance to win the Grand Prize: a $300 gift certificate to Jay Peak, good for use with any Jay Peak offering including the Pump House Water Park, skiing, golf, hotel accommodations and more.

Passport stamps are earned for stopping by the informational booths, for getting moving with one of the fitness demos, or for taking part in a free health screening. Screenings are offered for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

Don’t miss this event: The fun is topped off with storytelling, face-painting, healthy snacks, fruit smoothies and hands-on games and puzzles. For more information, contact Kate Laddison at 524-1239.