City of Copperas Cove hosts health fair, includes community

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

City employees and community members had the opportunity to learn about the many health-related businesses that are available in our area and what they have to offer with this year’s health fair.

The CoveFit Health Fair, hosted by the City of Copperas Cove Wellness Committee, took place in the Copperas Cove Civic Center last Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon.

There were booths promoting healthy food choices such as Subway and Chick-fil-A, they had booths from AdventHealth and other healthcare facilities, the Copperas Cove Public Library shared various books on getting healthy or health related topics that are available in the library. Copperas Cove Fire Department and Police Department each had booths. Copperas Cove Parks & Recreation advertised their activities and organizations such as the Pink Warrior Angels shared information about their group.

“This is our best event so far,” said Chief of Police Eddie Wilson who helped organize the event. “It used to just be for city employees only, now it is open to the community. So anybody who wants to come in and visit with our Central Texas businesses is welcome to do so.”

Chief Wilson said that they started the city’s wellness program around 12 years ago and began holding the health fairs starting about eight years ago and have been building momentum since then. 

“There are a lot of organizations who are connected to health and wellness that our employees and our community don’t know exist,” said Chief Wilson. He said that the health fair enables city employees and the community to engage with those businesses and potentially use them in the future.

Chief Wilson said that Cove’s wellness program is one of the best and that other cities often ask them for advice or help with their own wellness programs. He said that Copperas Cove has more employees that serve the community outside of work than ever before.

“The great thing about it is that it’s really driving the mindset of health and wellness,” said Chief Wilson. “We just want employees to engage in exercise, in nutrition, in financial wellness, volunteerism is a big part of what we do…It’s not something that is going to make you more fit or healthier, but it opens the door to that mindset.”

Chief Wilson said that about 120 of their approximately 300 employees are expected to participate in the health fair.

“This is a fantastic event for not only our employees, but we opened it up to the community this year,” said City Manager Ryan Haverlah. He said that sickness can be a significant burden on a person and their family, and they wanted to do what they could to promote health within our community.

Aside from the free massages, one of the most popular activities was the rowing machines. Several took the opportunity to compete against each other to complete a set distance the quickest.

“The one thing that really got me was the rowing,” said Joshua Simmons, Chief Plant Operator for Northeast Wastewater, who attended the health fair along with Shelby Telker, Operator for Northeast Wastewater.

 Simmons said that they both often participate in extra activities such as seminars, 5ks, clean-ups, and other volunteer activities.

“I like volunteering,” said Simmons.

“It helps me to better myself and better the community at the same time,” said Telker.