2012 Wellness Day

The 2012 Wellness Day was held at the Senior’s Center on Thursday. There were many exhibitors ranging from environmental awareness and organic gardening to matters concerning health, such as blood pressure and blood sugar tests. (I am pleased to say that my blood pressure and blood sugar were both very good, other than that I needed to eat.) There was a wealth of information available, with many tips for improving your health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Programs from both the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, as well as the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, were represented at the Wellness Day event.

Organizer and Chairperson for the event, Kim Lauzon McElwain said, “Wellness Day was a huge success this year due to the great participation of SRMT and MCA Programs, and local wellness businesses and community partnerships with Alice Hyde Medical Center, Eat Smart NY and the American Red Cross and of course the community members of Akwesasne who always show great interest in Wellness Day.” According to McElwain, the goal of the event, which has been going on 22 years, has been “to provide the community of Akwesasne with information on available services from programs and community businesses that relate to their health and well being.” McElwain added, “Each year we have seen an increase in attendees with this year topping over 450 people.”

There were a number of raffles being held all by individual departments at the event. When first walking in, there was a door prize raffle for a camping package with enough gear to outfit a small family. Winners of the other raffles are:

Mohawk Vision-Melissa Milli, Shane Tarbell

Konon-Kwe Council-Jean Jacobs

Family Support-Austin Sunday

SRMT Dental- Spencer McDonald

Gathering Our Minds-Danielle O’Mara

Three Sisters-Jean Square, Sherry Bowen

Wellness Day Door Prize-Blayke Gibson

McElwain said, “Craig Fuller, Amanda Garrow, Lacey Peters and Mera Faubert were committee members this year. Tyler Jock and Kyle Thompson were volunteers from the casino and did all the grilling for the free lunch.”

SRMT Community Partnership fund, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, Office for the Aging and CKON 50/50 recipients all contributed funding to make the event possible.