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Nursing students host children’s health program at Salvation Army

This week, about 50 Liberty University School of Nursing students left the classroom and entered the heart of the local Lynchburg community.

The students partnered with the Lynchburg Salvation Army to host Kids Fest: Summer Wellness, a free four-day program in the style of a Vacation Bible School that aimed to teach children about health and wellness through activities such as crafts, nutrition, drama, and recreation. Students incorporated a biblical theme using Mark 12:30: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

More than 60 children from Lynchburg and the surrounding counties participated. The nursing students planned the event as part of their three-week community health intensive course, where they are learning about the different aspects of advocating for a healthy lifestyle in patients. Students will also be working with the American Red Cross and FEMA.

“There is no better way to be the hands and feet of Jesus than to be on the front lines of a community and serve just as Jesus would,” said Assistant Professor Dr. Dana Woody. “We’re not only investing in children’s health but also investing in them spiritually.”

The event allowed the students to get to know the Lynchburg community and build relationships. After conducting a community health evaluation as part of the class, Woody said her students found there was a need to raise more awareness in children about the importance of health and wellness.

“This event seemed like the perfect fit,” Woody said. “Our students were able to put something into action, all while the kids were having fun learning.”

For senior Joe Stainback, Kids Fest was a great way to teach children how to implement healthy habits into everyday activities.

“We’re getting to know people and helping kids all while getting to share the Gospel,” he said. “Meeting the kids has been my favorite part.”

The nursing students took every opportunity to turn a fun activity into a learning experience. During snack time, children learned about proteins and how their favorite foods, like cheese and fish sticks, fall into those categories. Through skits, they learned about Doofus Dan and his unhealthy habits, like brushing his teeth with peanut butter or not wearing a bike helmet, which prompted a discussion about why those habits were bad.

Stainback said he was impressed by the children’s answers for why they should have healthy habits, unlike Doofus Dan.

“They’re smart, and they’re definitely taking away things we want them to learn,” he said.

The School of Nursing offers several outreach opportunities for Liberty students to serve the community. In April, students assisted the American Red Cross by helping operate a temporary shelter for residents who had been affected by an EF3 tornado. Over Spring Break, a group of students flew to Rwanda to help meet a critical need at Mont Cyangugu Health Center by conducting community clinics and delivering a new ultrasound machine donated by the university.

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