Free family events in focus on health, safety and fun

Families in the El Dorado Springs area will have several opportunities this month for fun activities with their children which focus on family health and safety. Grab the kids, tell a friend and join the fun!

MoCHIP

Oct. 1, the Missouri Child Identification and Protection project (MoCHIP), will offer an event at the El Dorado Springs R-2 Elementary cafeteria beginning at 10 a.m. until approximately 1 p.m. or until all attending have been served.  MoCHIP is a comprehensive child identification program designed to give Missouri families a measure of protection against the ever increasing problem of missing and abducted children. MoCHIP stands for MissOuri CHild Identification and Protection Program. The program uses an Amber Alert compatible computer disc to provide their child’s critical  information to the parents. Microchips are NOT used in the program. The parent is armed with a single pre-printed envelope that instructs authorities in the event of an emergency, something a parent in crisis would undoubtedly have trouble with, and a proactive measure to combat the time sensitivity involved in recovery. Within a matter of minutes the MoCHIP CD can be loaded into a computer directly from a police officer’s automobile and entered into the Amber Alert system. Missouri Freemasons bring this program to communities throughout the state. The Missouri Masonic Children’s Foundation, the sole sponsor, is working with local Masonic Lodges to provide consistent and comprehensive MoCHIP events as part of their ongoing commitment to Missouri’s children and families. This program is provided free of charge to every Missouri family who participates. For more information, visit mochip.org/what-we-do.

Family Day at the Farmer’s Market

A special “Family Day” is planned at the local Farmer’s Market, located in the Shopko/Cedar County Health Mall parking lot, on Saturday, Oct. 8. Besides fresh produce and locally made items, activities for parents and kids will abound.  Children age 12 and under who are accompanied by a parent will receive tokens worth $2 to purchase produce; EBT cards are honored, with up to $25 in “Double Up Bucks” on produce. Nine Wonders Optimists will host a bike course and give away bike helmets;  Missouri Care representatives will be available with giveaways and information on Medicaid managed healthcare plans; free water bottles will be given to kids who attend a “Stop a Pop” presentation which demonstrates the amount of sugar in soda pop; the Cedar County Library will give away books for approximately 100 children. Information on Car seats, t-shirts for the first 65 children who attend will be given away, and a drawing for seven gardening tool bags appropriate for children age 3-7 will be offered. Also hosting booths will be Dr. Chilton, pediatrician, Mothers of Preschoolers, Parents As Teachers, Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Head Start, WIC and more! Don’t miss this fun and informative event.

KidSight Vision Screening

The KidSight Vision Screening will be held at the El Dorado Springs R-2 Elementary office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday October 10 for babies, toddlers, preschool and school age children. Healthy vision is essential to intellectual growth and success in school, and common causes of vision loss in children can usually be treated successfully if they are identified and treated at an early age. The KidSight program visits child care facilities and schools throughout the state to screen for vision problems free of charge. Using a Plusoptix photoscreening device, trained technicians quickly and noninvasively take a picture of the child’s eyes, and the device produces an immediate “pass” or “refer” result. Young children may sit on their caregiver’s lap, and the entire process takes about two minutes. This event is sponsored by the Lion’s Club. For more information, visit https://saving-sight.org/kidsight.

Food For America

The El Dorado Springs FFA Chapter will hold its annual “Food For America” day on Oct. 12 at the El Dorado Springs R-2 school. FFA members will present working demonstrations and displays about food and agriculture throughout the day. Preschoolers may come at any time, but special viewing for young children is from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

“Imagination Station” Play Group

A preschool play group focusing on imaginary play is being planned for Oct. 20 at the El Do Youth Center. Activities for parents and children ages 0 to 5 years will be offered in an informal format. The play group, sponsored by Parents As Teachers, occurs on the third Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information, contact Parents As Teachers at 876-4177.