To promote children’s health and social services, NSU will host “A Day for Children” for children ages 2 through 17 to learn about nutrition and receive checkups at the Alvin Sherman Library on Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In conjunction with NSU colleges and clinics, the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship and approximately 150 sponsors and vendors will provide free services for children.
NSU has 10 clinical programs that run 22 different clinics attending the event. Medicine, vision, hearing and balance, dental health, optometry, occupational and physical therapy and psychology are among the represented disciplines that will provide free assessments.
Robert Oller, chief medical advisor in NSU’s Division of Clinical Operations, said the program began to bring attention to the community about the health care services provided at NSU.
“The program was originally for the promotion of these areas, but it has evolved over the years to promote services in the community that are offered for free or at a reduced cost by non-profit organizations,” Oller said.
In 15 years, the program has grown from 500 individuals and a few vendors and community organizations to between 12 and 15 thousand attendees under the direction of Chairman Ronnie Oller.
Ronnie Oller said that in addition to the health screenings and assessments, there will be free haircuts provided by Aveda and Maggie Salon and Spa, books about nutrition and bullying, a visit from Dr. Suess, two former Olympians, eight rescue dogs and puppies that can be adopted, fresh fruits and vegetables provided by Feeding South Florida and a plastic ice skating rink.. 17 photographers will also attend to take family holiday portraits.
Robert Oller added that children can be fingerprinted by the sheriff’s department and Crimestoppers, and there will be a teddy bear clinic in which 5,000 teddy bears will be given to the children who will then take them to the hospital’s vendor area.
“The teddy bears will be examined by nurses and put through the ropes that you would see in an emergency room so the kids learn what health’s all about and are not afraid of it,” Oller said.
Ronnie Oller emphasized that there is no cost for any of these things.
“All organizations support the mission of A Day for Children, which is to give to the children and their parents an education about what’s offered,” she said. “We want to make sure that parents know what’s available for their children in county and community, which are things they are entitled to receive and will assist them in growing up.”
For the past three years, A Day for Children has been named the Broward Family Favorite in Broward Family Life magazine.
“It’s because of the vendors that we’re able to do this and win this award; I don’t think we’ve left a thing out for children to be a part of, and we make it a very good time for them,” Oller said.
Tiffany Marchione, senior biology major, is one of two volunteer representatives participating in the event and organizing the volunteer effort for the event so that it functions efficiently.
Marchione believes that volunteering at the event is a great opportunity to give back to the community.
“It allows the students who are participating to see what it’s like to do something nice, pay it forward and be a part of something so positive,” she said. “We’d love to see everyone out there and have all hands on deck and enjoy the day.”
There will be a luncheon for volunteers on Sept. 17 in the Alvin Sherman Library Room 4009 at noon. All are invited to attend and enjoy pizza and salad, and instructions and shirts for A Day for Children will be provided.
Ronnie Oller said, “I want everybody to know that everything you need for your children, like insurance or health care, and places that you think you want to be a part of but don’t know how to access, are represented at the event one way or another. It’s a free day, but you leave with tons of valuable education.”
If you would like to volunteer, contact Ronnie Oller at 954-288-2268 or ronnieoller@gmail.com.
Main sponsors & vendors: Broward Health, Broward Memorial Healthcare System, Children’s Services Council, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, Florida Blue, Florida KidCare, Kiss Radio, KidVision from Channel 2 (WPBT2), Hungry Howie’s, Young at Art, PNC Bank, Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care, Special Olympics Florida, Light of the World Clinic, Native Village and Gator Boys and many more.
