What do therapy dogs, students, teachers, families, and community members all have in common? They all love River Dell’s Health and Wellness Fair!
On Saturday, September 28th, River Dell hosted its annual Health and Wellness Fair. The Health and Wellness fair is a coming together of crafts, resources, music, dance, food, fun, and a place for everyone to learn more about physical and mental health.
This year a total of 24 organizations, including Oradell Police Department, River Dell PTSO, the River Dell Education Association, New Bridge Medical Center, and Guardian Recovery, dedicated time to arranging a booth.
In the fall of 2021, coming out of the pandemic, Mrs. Kirby, one of River Dell’s Director of Guidance and Mrs. Correa, the school’s vice principal, started the annual event. When reminiscing about the first Health and Wellness Fair, Mrs. Kirby explained that “There was this incredible sense of community and accomplishment, particularly after we all spent so much time in isolation. I vividly remember looking around and seeing everyone in their matching fair shirts, with dozens of booths around the football field.”
This year’s fair was no different, where everyone who participated received a blue shirt with the logo of the event emblazed on the front.
The primary goal of the Health and Wellness Fair is to bring awareness to physical and mental well-being within River Dell and the broader community while a secondary goal is to bridge relationships among families, schools, and the community.
Mr. Pepe, River Dell’s shared how the fair is a great way to promote local businesses. He explained, “It’s expanded into promoting local businesses too, restaurants, places like Ballet Arts, local therapists, and companies that work with students and adults.” Volunteers from RDMS along with all of the community participants make the event possible every year.
The fair also has another purpose; to bring a sense of community to the River Dell region. Ms. Silane, who is one co-owner of the premier local ballet studio, Ballet Arts, agrees with this statement. When asked for her favorite part of the fair she emphatically stated, “Seeing the community come together in one space for a great event!”
Students also agree that health and wellness is important, and that the fair is a great way to learn strategies and ideas to be mindful and present in our daily lives. Planning is already underway for next year’s 5th annual event, which promises to bring the magic yet again that Saturday sparked.
