Hometown Health Clinic Hosts Back-to-School Blitz

Hometown Health Clinic hosted its annual Back-to-School Blitz Wednesday, July 30, in its Pediatric unit on McKenzie’s Hospital Drive.

At the event, children enjoyed face-painting, sno-cones and popcorn provided by clinic employees. Insurance companies including BlueCare,Wellpoint and United Healthcare donated backpacks and pencil pouches to visiting children. This year, a few special visitors from the Bowties and Tutus Mobile Petting Zoo from Sharon, Tenn., attended the blitz.

Animal handler Teala Nooner introduced the visiting animals: a goat, sheep, water buffalo, miniature cow, Sulcata tortoise, Velvetine Lop rabbit, chicken and an albino porcupine. Though these animals can withstand more heat exposure than the rest of her farm animals, they could only stay at the event for a little over an hour due to excessive heat.

The animals were posted just in front of the parking lot so children could stop by, pet and feed the animals before or after visiting the health center.

“Every year we do a Back to School Blitz to try and get kids in the door,” said Ellen Pruitt, marketing and human services lead at Hometown Health Clinic. She said the event helps share a message about health and wellness to kids as they prepare for their return to school. It also provides an incentive for kids and families to schedule their yearly wellness exams.

Insurance salespeople and a representative for the Tennessee Department of Health’s Red Sand Project, an initiative to raise awareness about human trafficking, also had information booths at the event to speak with visiting families.

Carroll County students return to school Tuesday, August 5.