Empowered Wellness Foundation to Host Rise & Thrive Back-to-School Community Health Fair August 8
Family-friendly event will provide physicals, health screenings, school supplies, and community resources at no cost to help prepare children for a successful school year
TOLEDO, OHIO – Empowered Wellness Foundation will host the Second Annual Rise & Thrive Back-to-School Community Health Fair presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wayman Palmer YMCA, located at 200 E. Bancroft Street in Toledo.
This family-friendly event is open to the entire community, offering children and families access to essential healthcare services and community resources to help them prepare for a healthy, successful school year – all in one convenient location. The event builds on the success of last year’s inaugural fair, which welcomed more than 800 community members.
The following resources will be available to attendees at no cost:
- School and sports physicals offered by University of Toledo Department of Pediatrics residents and faculty with support from Mercy Health, ProMedica physicians, Toledo Area Black Physician Group, and Rocket Nation of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Physicals are offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration or health insurance required. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for physicals.
- Backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last).
- Health screenings including weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) checks, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, and cholesterol tests conducted by Mercy Health nurses; lead testing also offered.
- Dental screenings and sealants for children and teens under age 18 from Liberty Dental and the Neighborhood Health Association.
- Breast cancer screenings from Mercy Health’s mobile mammography unit. Appointments required by calling (419) 696-7326.*
- ColoFIT colon cancer screening kits for eligible members from Anthem.
- A supply of diapers for the first 75 families from Anthem.
- Community resources and mental health information from local organizations.
- Family-friendly activities such as face painting, haircuts and braids, a rock-climbing wall, and dancing.
- Food vendors including Bridget Be Cooking, Salvation Army, Rita’s Italian Ice, Buckhead Meats, and Pimento Kitchen.
New this year, the fair will feature MEGA Body™, a giant inflatable walk-through exhibit showcasing the human body’s organs and systems for interactive health education.
“This year’s Rise & Thrive Back-to-School Community Health Fair is our biggest and most ambitious yet. When we founded Empowered Wellness Foundation, our mission was simple: empowering minds, inspiring wellness, and changing lives,” said Dr. Jaime McBride and Dr. Michael Bush-Arnold, co-founders of the Empowered Wellness Foundation. “This August, we’re bringing that mission to life on a grand scale with an interactive mega body exhibit, a community blood drive, free health screenings for adults, back-to-school and sports physicals for kids, over 40 community vendors, and a giveaway of more than 2,000 backpacks and school supplies, all under one roof. By bringing healthcare, education, and essential resources together in one place, we’re making it easier for families to start the school year healthy, prepared, and connected to the support they need. We’re so grateful to partner with Anthem as our presenting sponsor to help make this vision a reality for Toledo families. This isn’t just an event, it’s a movement, and we can’t wait to welcome our community to Wayman Palmer YMCA on August 8.”
“Every child deserves the opportunity to walk into the classroom healthy, confident, and ready to learn,” said Michelle Stoughton, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio’s government business. “We know preparing for a new school year can be both exciting and challenging for families, which is why we’re proud to work with Empowered Wellness Foundation and other community organizations to help make that transition a little easier. By bringing together preventive care, school supplies, and trusted local resources, we’re helping students start the school year with the support they need to thrive.”
The event is hosted by the Empowered Wellness Foundation and presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in collaboration with the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA and the Toledo Area Black Physicians Group. Community sponsors include ProMedica, WesBanco, Sun Federal Credit Union, Mercy Health, The James A. & Mary H. Bell Charitable Foundation, and Dr. Houston Johnson, Jr.
For more information, visit ewfoundation.org.
*Mammogram Eligibility Requirements: Individuals must be age 40 or older to receive a mammogram. Participants cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding and should not have current breast issues, such as nipple discharge, lumps, pain, or a breast cancer diagnosis within the past two years. Individuals must be able to walk up and down stairs and stand without the use of aids such as a cane or walker. At least 365 days must have passed since the individual’s last mammogram.
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About Empowered Wellness Foundation
Empowered Wellness Foundation (EWF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering minds, inspiring wellness, and changing lives in the greater Toledo community. Additional information about Empowered Wellness Foundation is available at www.ewfoundation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @empoweredwf.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Community Insurance Company, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X at @AnthemBCBS.