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NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Families in the North Platte area are invited to a one-stop community health event this Friday, July 25, at Mid-Plains Community College’s North Campus, where organizers hope to eliminate barriers and connect residents to vital services — all while having a little fun.
Running from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Community Health Fair is a collaborative effort led by organizations including Hope Esperanza, Great Plains Health, West Central District Health Department, North Platte Public Schools, and People’s Health. This year’s event moves to the college’s North Campus at 1101 Halligan Drive, with health booths, safety resources, and school-readiness support available to the public at no cost.
Maria Rodriguez of Hope Esperanza, a nonprofit helping bridge language gaps and connect underserved residents to resources, said the event is designed to streamline back-to-school preparations for local families — particularly those new to the area.
“It’s a one-stop shop where parents can take their children to get vaccines, health screenings, school registrations, safety education, and so much more,” Rodriguez said in a radio interview this week. “We have a lot of newcomers, and we’ve been encouraging them to come, because they can get almost everything done in one visit.”
Booths inside the college cafeteria will feature health screenings, vaccinations, educational materials, and community resources. Outside, families can enjoy kid-friendly activities including a helicopter landing by LifeNet at 4:30 p.m., free backpacks for children who complete activity cards, and grilled food provided by Sustainable Beef, using a grill donated by First Interstate Bank.
Hope Esperanza will also provide language access services for non-English speakers — a core part of its mission, which began with outreach to minority communities but has since expanded to serve all residents.
“We started this to bridge the language gap, but we saw the greater need across the whole community,” Rodriguez said. “This is also a great place to learn about resources people may not need now but could need in the future.”
Rodriguez credited funding from the Nebraska Blue Foundation for helping make the event possible. Part of the grant supports the health fair, while the remainder will fund ongoing health-focused programs through Hope Esperanza.
With school just weeks away, organizers hope families will take advantage of the opportunity to prepare — and enjoy a fun Friday afternoon.
“Bring the kids — there’s something for everyone,” Rodriguez said. “We hope to see you all there.”