Galion Safety Event Returns for Third Year
When OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital ED Nurse Melanie Mason, RN, first thought about organizing a community health and safety event, she never thought it would grow to the magnitude it has today. Mason says her pastor at First Lutheran Church originally asked her about outreach ideas, and she ended up organizing a safety event in 2022 geared towards kids. Three years later, she put together a health and safety event with dozens of agencies and resources for all ages. Community Connections Expo was held on Sat, May 31, at Galion Middle School on 474 Portland Way N. Attendees were offered educational sessions from area health agencies, safety courses, senior citizen exhibits, dozens of fun activities for kids, contests, and a car show.
“It warms my heart to see this grow to this scale, because as nurses and caregivers, all we really want is to see our community thrive and grow and stay safe and happy,” said Mason. “I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve gotten from other OhioHealth associates and their families who’ve donated their time or money to make this event successful. We’re excited to bring health and safety education to our communities.”
Exhibitors at Community Connections Expo included:
- Galion Fire Department
- Iberia Volunteer Fire Department
- Galion Police Department
- Bucyrus Police Department, K9 Unit
- Mansfield, Ohio AirForce Base #179th Unit
- First Lutheran Church
- Galion Library
- Radiant Fitness
- Grief Share
- Gentiva Hospice
- NAMI
- Poison Control
- OhioHealth
- Trauma education - slips, trips, falls
- Fire extinguisher safety
- EZ ID/Safe Surfin'
- American Red Cross
- Avita Home Health & Hospice
- SCAT
- Ohio Medicare Alert
- Planetarium
- God's Little Acre Farmer's Market
- Lifewise Academy
- Galion Royalty
- Taylor's Balloon Twisting
- Cub Scout Pack 106
- Marion-Crawford Prevention Booth
- Galion City Health Department
- Car seat education
- Sexual Health education
- CCSG (food assistance program in Crawford County)
- and more
Activities for children included:
- Balloon Twister
- Face Painting, Crawford Center for The Arts
- Bouncy House
- Touch-A-Truck event
- Bicycle safety course
- Kid's games with prizes
- Bicycle give-a-ways
- Photos with Elsa from Frozen and Sadie the Safety Panda
- Planetarium
- Food Trucks
- DJ
- Child IDs
- Car seat checks
- Fitness challenge by Radiant Fitness
There was also a car show this year to support residents of Mill Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Galion, Ohio. Miller says proceeds from the show went towards helping residents on a fixed income.
Everyone was welcome and the event was free.
