RACHEL DOVE-BALDWIN
Staff Writer
W. WILLIAMSON - By noon on Saturday, nearly 500 area children had already entered the front door of the Williamson Fieldhouse for Williamson Memorial Hospital’s “Kid’s Day”, that has been a highly anticipated event for kids of all ages. As in the past, the event was a tremendous success, with more public participation than ever before.
“It’s all about the community and those who live here,” stated the new CEO for the WMH, David Pryor, who attended the event with his family. “Our employees have done a wonderful job planning and organizing this event and I’m proud to be here representing the hospital and to have the opportunity to get acquainted with local residents.”
April Mullins, a RN at WMH who headed up this year’s “Kid’s Day” was extremely pleased with the turnout, and said everyone she had spoken with at the Fieldhouse had nothing but nice comments to say about their experience.
“I’m so happy that we had such a great turnout of kid’s and I have to say on behalf of myself and the other employees that helped with this event, thank you to everyone who came out today, and also to all the businesses and organizations that set up booths,” stated Mullins. “We live in an area where we are blessed with people that step forward and join in to make an event such as this one a success.”
Children were given the opportunity to have their faces painted and hair braided, as well as participate in a jump rope contest, cake walks, costume contest, receive information and tips from health and wellness stations, have their picture taken with Smokey the Bear, speak with law enforcement and EMS personnel and compete in a dance contest. Organizations that set up booths for the event included the West Virginia State Police, the Mingo Count y Sheriff’s Department, the Williamson Fire Department, STAT Ambulance, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, ABLE Families, the Tug Valley Recovery Shelter and several others.
Tyler Newsome, a five year old from the Kermit area who was dressed as a zombie, said he was having an awesome time and was waiting around to see if he was the winner of one of the six bicycles that were being given away to lucky winners at the close of “Kid’s Day”.
“I really hope I win, I’m too big now for my old bike and I’m giving it to my little brother,” stated Tyler. “But even if I don’t win, I’ve got a lot of cool stuff to take home with me and I’ll wait and ask Santa to bring me a bike.”
“This is a great thing that Williamson Memorial has done for our kids,” stated Tyler’s mother, Brenda Newsome. “It’s inside out of the weather, and they can do all sorts of fun activities and get treats and pizza for lunch as well. I’m thrilled with all of the stuff they’ve got set up for the kids to do, we have had a wonderful day.”
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