Washington, PA – March 18, 2011 – Hundreds of visitors browsed through dozens of booths yesterday during a Health and Safety Fair, hosted by state Sen. Tim Solobay and sponsored by the Southwestern Chapter of the American Red Cross, Washington Hospital and Washington Crown Center.
“Even though state and local agencies put a lot of energy into reaching out to the community, there are still plenty of programs and assistance agencies that people don’t know about,” Solobay said. “We try to get as many of them as we can in one place where people can spend a few minutes and get information on programs and products that can help.”
State agencies joined private companies and local community groups to set up more than 60 booths in the wide aisles of the Washington Crown Center for the event which was co-sponsored by state Reps. Brandon Neuman and Jesse White.
Barbara Swatek, of Baltimore, MD, brought her mother, Marie Delost of North Strabane Township on a shopping trip when they discovered the fair in progress. They found information on health and dental programs for seniors.
“We’re collecting lots of information that’s very helpful to us,” Swatek said. “They’re things we wouldn’t have known about if they weren’t here.”
Solobay presented a Senate citation to the local Red Cross chapter for their long history of service to the community. March is Red Cross Month.
“When things go wrong, they’re there to help,” Solobay said. “The always show the best in the community – people reaching out to help those who need it.”
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