Hundreds Expected at Community Health Day

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

SALINAS, CA, April 15, 2024 – Community health takes on a whole new meaning in an exciting first-ever, free community health event hosted by Salinas Valley Health. The usually active Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is the location for a free soccer ball giveaway, an array of community health resources including the Mobile Clinic and a complex-wide clean-up with Blue Zones Project Monterey County.

The health-inspired celebration is a way for Salinas Valley Health to engage the community in an environment of fun events that promote health, volunteerism and community spirit as part of the organization’s commitment to provide quality healthcare to everyone in the community. Thousands of people are expected to attend as the staff at Salinas Valley Health rally to generate a fund to buy hundreds of new soccer balls to give away during this first-ever community event.

“We know that an active lifestyle is key to preventing disease,” says Tiffany DiTullio, Salinas Valley Health Chief Administrative Officer. “This event brings so many elements of good health together at one location and is a great way to engage and connect with our community in a meaningful way.”

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is one of the Mobile Clinics regular weekly locations and provides people with the opportunity to see medical professionals free of charge, get flu vaccine, sports physicals, health screenings and more. It’s also the location where the Mobile Clinic has held successful value-added events in the past such as the annual staff diaper giveaway for new mothers. Since it launched in 2020, the Mobile Clinic has provided more than 15,000 patient visits to medically underserved pockets of Monterey County.

“Our Mobile Clinic team has built trusting relationships with the populations we serve,” says Lynette Fitzgerald, Salinas Valley health Director of Community Benefit. “We provide much more than just medical care. This special health event will be a chance for families to interact one-on-one with additional resources across a wide range of service lines. We know the soccer ball give-away will be a huge hit with the kids and look forward to a fun day for people of all ages

In addition to the Mobile Clinic services and soccer ball distribution, there will be a variety of health and resource tables available including experts and information on drug use disorder and the fentanyl crisis in the community. Salinas Valley Health emergency room providers will be educating the public and giving away free Narcan. Community Health Day also kicks off Volunteer Appreciation Week with a complex clean-up held in conjunction with Blue Zones Project Monterey County.

Community Health Day takes place at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex located at 1440 Constitution Boulevard in Salinas from 11am-2pm. The Blue Zones Project sponsored clean-up will kick off at 12:30 with volunteers participating until 2pm. All clean-up supplies and tools will be provided. To sign up, go the banner at the top of the Salinas Valley Health website at www.salinasvalleyhealth.com