Two College of Public Health and Human Sciences students are using what they’ve learned in class to promote healthy lifestyles within the local Latino community.
Presented by the Benton County Health Department, the Corvallis Parks and Recreation and Creciendo en Salud, the 9th annual ¡Campeones de Salud! Soccer Tournament and Family Weekend will connect the Benton County Latino community with health information and resources they may otherwise not have access to.
The event, expected to serve more than 2,000 community members over a three-day weekend, will be held from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, August 22-24, at Willamette Park in south Corvallis.
It will feature a soccer tournament for all ages as well as a health resource fair, exercise classes, bike tour, scavenger hunt for kids and various other health-promoting activities.
“This event was initially established in 2006 to bring together agencies geared toward health promotion and prevention issues in nutrition and healthy lifestyles,” says Luis Rivera, CPHHS student and ¡Campeones de Salud! event coordinator with the Benton County Health Department.“Specifically, the soccer tournament is designed to attract community members’ attention to the health resources and screenings provided to them at no cost and in an enjoyable and hassle-free environment.”
All events are free and open to the public. Those interested in dental services need to schedule an appointment ahead of time.
“I thought it would be a great way to apply my health promotion education and stay involved in the community that has served me so well during my undergraduate years at OSU.”
“For many community members, the health screenings provide the only health checkup for the year,” Luis says. “For a similar reason, we provide health resources to community members to assist them in sustaining or pursuing a healthy lifestyle.”
CPHHS alum and MPH student Miyuki Blatt learned of the event while serving as an epidemiology intern at the Benton County Health Department this past spring as an undergraduate, and has since taken on an assisting role on the project.
“I thought it would be a great way to apply my health promotion education and stay involved in the community that has served me so well during my undergraduate years at OSU,” Miyuki says. “As a student, I felt very supported in my goals and have learned so much since having begun my position here at the health department. I have even been asked to stay for an extended amount of time, possibly through the school year as I begin the MPH program. I’m excited to see what other opportunities I will be presented with in the future.”
Volunteers – including day-of helpers, community sponsors and fitness instructors – are still needed to make ¡Campeones de Salud! a successful – and healthy – event for all.
To offer your support – contact Miyuki at Miyuki.Blatt@CO.Benton.OR.US, 503-415-1305 or Luis at Luis.Rivera@CO.Benton.OR.US, 541-207-4366.
To schedule a free dental appointment, contact Luis Acosta at 541.766.6361. All other free health screenings do not need an appointment.
To sign up for the soccer tournament, contact Luis Rivera.