Wellness Expo to offer services from health tests to massages

  • Published
  • By Argen Duncan
  • Nucleus editor
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  

A coming expo addresses each aspect of healthy living.

The third annual Kirtland Air Force Base Wellness Expo is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 28 in the 150th Special Operations Wing main hangar, Building 1043, on Randolph Avenue. It includes about 70 vendors representing on- and off-base health entities and assistance agencies.

Everyone with base access and their family members are welcome.

“It’s a way to celebrate mental, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing,” said Community Support Coordinator Teresa Reinhard, who’s organizing the expo.

She said most booths would offer a service or activity.

For example, a nutrition booth will show the amount of sugar in common processed foods, and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment will let people try to drive a pedal car while wearing “drunk goggles.” The base optometry clinic will clean and straighten eyeglasses.

Attendees can get massages, bone density checks, acupuncture treatments and more.

“So we’ll have both traditional and alternative types of treatment,” Reinhard said.

A healthy cooking demonstration is also on the agenda, as well as 10-minute talks on subjects such as living to be 100 and handling stress.

In addition, she expects to have Japanese drumming, Security Forces military working dog demonstrations and an inflatable obstacle course for adults and children. DJ Sharp, also known has Master Sgt. Wayne Sharp of the 377th Medical Group, will provide the music.

“We plan on having a kids corner, so kids are welcome, too,” Reinhard said.

Children can participate in volunteer-led crafts and meet McGruff the Crime Dog.

Security Forces members will also take children’s fingerprints so parents will have the cards in case they’re ever needed.

Reinhard said free turkey dogs would be available while supplies last.

Attendees can fill out a “wellness passport” with their name and contact information, she said. If they visit 10 tables to get the passport marked, they’ll be eligible for a door prize.

No one needs to be present at the drawing to win.

Off-base agencies Reinhard hopes to host include Blue Star Mothers, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Planet Fitness and pet adoption agencies. Among on-base entities are the chapel and mental health clinic.

“It’s meant to be fun and informative,” Reinhard said of the expo.