Meriwether County Health Fair to Offer Free Screenings and Community Fun

The Meriwether County community is invited to celebrate at the annual spring Health Fair on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. To 1 p.m. At the Manchester-Meriwether County Recreation Department, located at 121 Perry Street in Manchester. The event will provide access to free and low-cost health screenings, information, and resources aimed at improving the health and well-being of local residents.

Health Screenings and Services

Hosted by Meriwether Family Connection, the Meriwether County Health Department, and District 4 Public Health, the health fair will feature a variety of services. The Meriwether County Health Department will offer free HIV rapid testing, Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings (including height and weight measurements), health education, and car seat installation checks.

The Morehouse School of Medicine HEAL Clinic will provide free screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. The Greenville Lions Club will conduct free vision screenings. Warm Springs Medical Center will offer blood pressure screenings and low-cost lab services, including a complete blood count (CBC) for $5, thyroid (TSH) for $10, prostate (PSA, for males) for $8, urine screenings for $3, and a lipid panel for $15. Participants wanting a lipid panel must fast after midnight the night before the test. Payment will be accepted in cash or by check.

Family-Friendly Activities and Wellness Resources

The Manchester Fire Department will return with the Manchester First Responder Touch-A-Truck event from 11 a.m. To 1 p.m., allowing families to meet local first responders and explore emergency vehicles. A live simulation of a vehicle extrication will take place at 12:30 p.m.

A House of the Living God Church, in partnership with the R.O.O.T.S. Initiative, will provide holistic health resources focusing on mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. Wellness experiences, including singing bowls, chair massages, and aromatherapy, will also be available. Students from LaGrange College and Mercer University will offer blood pressure checks, healthy plate demonstrations, a teddy bear clinic, and information on community resources.

Community Collaboration and Resources

Meriwether Family Connection will distribute free books and resource guides. The District 4 Public Health team will share information on programs including WIC & Nutrition, Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention, Opioid Abuse Prevention, and HIV Prevention.

Other participating organizations include the City of Manchester, Community Action For Improvement (CAFI), the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, and Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services.

About the Host Organizations

Meriwether County Family Connection focuses on early literacy, prevention of low birth weight, parent education, and family stability. Programs include Reading Cubs (ages 0–4), Reading Rangers (pre-K), pop-up libraries, summer camps, and enrichment activities. They also host parent events with literacy and cooking classes, as well as maternal health resources. Monthly collaboration meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. More information is available at https://meriwether.gafcp.org or by emailing meriwetherfamilyconnection@gmail.com.

District 4 Public Health protects and improves the health and safety of communities in Meriwether and 11 surrounding counties. Meriwether County residents can access services through the Meriwether County Health Department (51 Gay Connector Road, Greenville, 706-672-4974) and the Manchester Health Center (300 West Perry St., Manchester, 706-672-4267). Appointments can be scheduled by calling 800-847-4262 or online at https://district4health.org. Services offered include immunizations, well-child check-ups, breast and cervical cancer prevention, family planning, pregnancy testing, HIV/STD/STI prevention and testing, and birth/death certificate requests.

Media Contact: Natalie Shelton, natalie.shelton@dph.ga.gov or (706) 302-6707