Whole Foods Market Hosts Autism Awareness Day

Whole Foods Market in Winter Park will host Autism Awareness Day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. September 20 and donate five percent of the store’s net sales to Autism Speaks–an organization dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for autism and creating a better future for those whose lives are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Throughout the day, various groups will be on hand offering information about different aspects of the disorder, including detection, interventions, support, recreational services and diet information. Lecture topics for parents include diagnosis and treatment, including special diets. Call 407-673-8788 for more details.

Healthy Family Fun Planned at Interfaith Council Community Event

The Interfaith Council on Community Health and Wholeness is launching its “Our Whole Community”  project in a community event from 3-6 p.m. September 14 at Winter Park Presbyterian Church, 400 S. Lakemont Ave, Winter Park.

The family event will feature tours of a community garden, tips on planting vegetables from Tom McCubbin and Ed Thralls, as well as cooking demonstrations and fitness presentations. There also will be a food court setting with healthy food choices. Soil testing is available.

For more information, contact Council Coordinator Joann White, 407-998-5659.

Free Shots and Physicals at Back-to-School Event

The Orange Blossom Family Health Center has teamed up with the Christian Service Center, WellCare, the Orlando Magic, the Orange County Public School System, Orange County Library System and the City of Orlando to host a Back-to-School event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 2, 2008 at the Amway Arena, 600 W. Amelia St., Orlando.

In addition to physicals and immunizations, the event will feature information on community resources, health information, free school supplies, free haircuts, free backpacks and entertainment. Parents must bring their child’s shot record form to receive the immunizations.

Get Your Vaccination Before Summer Vacation

The Orange County Health Department (OCHD) will offer free immunizations for children, birth to age 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at the OCHD office at 832 West Central Blvd., Orlando, 32805.

Remember to bring the child’s shot record. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and a valid ID is required.

For more information on this event, call 407-836-2502, or visit : www.orchd.com

Whole Foods Market Hosts Hunger Banquet With Local High Schools

Whole Foods Market in Winter Park, in collaboration with Winter Park and Timber Creek High Schools, will present a Hunger Banquet to benefit the Whole Planet Foundation at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at Glenridge Middle School.

A Hunger Banquet illustrates the disparity in distribution of the world’s resources by randomly assigning attendees to dinner tables representing different areas of the world to highlight the circumstances involved in the distribution of food in those areas. The event is open to the public, ages 12 and over.

For more information, go the the Whole Foods Market website.

Whole Foods Market Hosts Hunger Banquet With Local High Schools

Whole Foods Market in Winter Park, in collaboration with Winter Park and Timber Creek High Schools, will present a Hunger Banquet to benefit the Whole Planet Foundation at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at Glenridge Middle School.

A Hunger Banquet illustrates the disparity in distribution of the world’s resources by randomly assigning attendees to dinner tables representing different areas of the world to highlight the circumstances involved in the distribution of food in those areas. The event is open to the public, ages 12 and over.

For more information, go the the Whole Foods Market website.

Need Help Paying For Medicine? Visit “Help Is Here Express”

Low-income residents can find out if they qualify for free or nearly free medicines by visiting the “Help Is Here Express” bus from 10 a.m. to noon on March 26 at Florida Hospital East, 7727 Lake Underhill Road, Orlando.

The bus is equipped with computer terminals and phones so people can find out if they may be eligible for help. Trained specialists will be on board to make sure the process is quick and easy.

Third Annual Fast Start Invitational Draws 600 Plus Kids

Some 600 elementary school children of all ages and sizes from Winter Park Consortium Schools participated in the Third Annual Fast Start Invitational Track and Field Event at Showalter Field on January 26.

Despite the sporadic rain showers, the event drew 50 to 60 more students than last year. And event organizer Scott Millson estimated that if the weather had been better, the total would have been closer to 650 to 700.

Read more about the event by clicking here.

Smile Mile Gives Kids Another Chance to Run

The Smile Mile, a one-mile children’s race for kids age five to 11, begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at Blue Jacket Park at Baldwin Park in Orlando. One school from each county with the highest participation wins a plaque and a $500 Track Shack Foundation grant for physical education programs. To qualify, a school must have at least 25 runners participating.

Kids receive a t-shirt and finisher’s medal provided by the Musante Family Trust in support of kids health and fitness.

Visit the Track Shack website for more information.

Healthy Fun and Fitness Guide Published by Winter Park Health Foundation

The Healthy Fun and Fitness Guide to Winter Park, published by the Winter Park Health Foundation in an effort to inspire residents and visitors to become more active, has just been released and is available free of charge at the Winter Park Welcome Center, 151 W. Lyman Ave., Winter Park.

The guide points out biking and walking trails, as well as parks with a variety of fitness options. It identifies places to swim, boat, run, walk and play with the dogs.  And it includes a map showing the location of most area parks and their features.