GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Gainesville Fire Rescue wants to show the love this month as part of its free, family-friendly events.
Healthy Afternoons with Fire Rescue is a campaign to promote healthy lifestyles for Gainesville residents of all ages.
The events are held the last Wednesday of every month and include activities to learn health and safety information, as well as the chance to connect with local organizations.
“Healthy Afternoons with Fire Rescue is actually a result of our community health improvement plan that was facilitated by Gainesville Fire Rescue in December of 2021,” said Brandy Stone, Gainesville Community Health Director. “We surveyed our community members to best understand what types of health resources and programs that they would be interested in.”
The next event will be Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 3 to 5 pm at Fire Station 1 located at 525 South Main St.
This month participants can build their own flower bouquets and create friendship bracelets. The city says there will also be age-appropriate discussions about creating healthy relationships, safe touch, sexual consent and contraceptives.
Future events will focus on topics such as healthy eating, physical activity, substance use prevention, and mental health.
The events will be held at different fire stations and other venues around Gainesville each month.
“We’re lucky to have nine different locations throughout the city, because we are the fire department and we’re able to host these events at different locations to reach different neighbors who live in those communities,” said Stone.