Teddy Bear Picnic promotes local health services in a fun way

Tim Brody - Editor

Promoting local health services in the community and exposing children to them in a fun way was the idea behind a Teddy Bear Picnic held on July 12 at Centennial Park.
Organized by the Sioux Lookout Child and Family Health Network in collaboration with the Northwestern Health Unit and other local partnering agencies, children were encouraged to bring a stuffie to the event or could adopt a stuffie there to bring home.
Jenna Tremblay-Leger, a Speech-Language Pathologist with the Northwestern Health Unit co-organized the event with Laura Lilly, Health Educator with the Northwestern Health Unit and Carmen Brailsford, Summer Student with the Northwestern Health Unit.
“Maybe in the future when they themselves need the service they will remember this event and remember that teddy didn’t get harmed, just a way to get out and promote our services in a fun and non-scary way for kids,” Tremblay-Leger reiterated, adding the event also included fun activities focused on building early developmental skills such as fine motor skills. Activities also promoted the importance of physical activity and social interaction at an early age. 
The event was also an opportunity for parents/guardians to ask questions and learn more about the different health services available in town.
A dinner was sponsored by CUPE 4373, the union representing hospital employees.
A cake was also served at the event, sponsored by the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Laboratory Department.
Organizers estimate more than 275 people attended the event.
Event partners included the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Northwestern Health Unit, Community Living Dryden – Sioux Lookout, Sunset Women’s Aboriginal Circle, FIREFLY, Ontario Native Women’s Association and Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.