Open house and breastfeeding awareness walk followed by farm
workers’ health day
The San Benito Health Foundation celebrated National Health
Center Week with an open house and a breastfeeding awareness walk
on Aug. 11, followed by Farmworkers’ Health Day Aug. 12.
”
The 2010 theme was turning the vision into reality,
”
said Margaret Nunez-Ornelas, the WIC manager.
”
It highlights the 45 years of health centers have been providing
affordable, high-quality, cost-effective health care to all people
regardless of their ability to pay.
”
Open house and breastfeeding awareness walk followed by farm workers’ health day
The San Benito Health Foundation celebrated National Health Center Week with an open house and a breastfeeding awareness walk on Aug. 11, followed by Farmworkers’ Health Day Aug. 12.
“The 2010 theme was turning the vision into reality,” said Margaret Nunez-Ornelas, the WIC manager. “It highlights the 45 years of health centers have been providing affordable, high-quality, cost-effective health care to all people regardless of their ability to pay.”
Nunez-Ornelas said that as many as 44 million people in the United States are uninsured, and as many as 56 million who have health insurance live in areas where they may be without doctors or health services.
The San Benito Health Foundation serves homeless residents, farm workers and other residents who may not have the ability to pay.
“There are a lot of people without insurance and our lines in the medical side have gotten longer,” Nunez-Ornelas said. “But they are really good doctors we have right now that are really helping out the community. Everybody is working as a team.”
More than 20 million people are served by health centers across the United States.
As part of the week, the Health Foundation staff hosted an open house in which it offered tours of the medical, dental and WIC offices. Board member Jim Gibson donated fresh fruits and vegetables for the events.
Part of the days events included the Breastfeeding Awareness walk, which started at 10 a.m.
“This is to raise awareness nationwide that we are interested in moms nursing,” Nunez-Ornelas said, adding how studies show that children who are breastfed are healthier. “There is a lot of information out there that does give proof that it does happen. Formula will never be the same as breast milk.”
About 30 people came out for the walk, and Nunez-Ornelas said the group included a mix of different ages from nursing moms to formerly nursing moms and grandmothers who support nursing.
“I was especially pleased to see infants and children walking not only with their mothers, but a couple of fathers that also walk,” she said.
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer sent a letter to the San Benito Health Foundation the week of the open house.
“I commend the San Benito Health Foundation for its dedication to providing health care and dental services to children, adults and families throughout San Benito County,” she wrote in the letter.
