Donating and Learning at the Manor Oaks Wellness Fair and Blood Drive

With nearly 20 vendors to see, students and their parents came out to Manor Oaks on Wednesday to learn about different ways to stay healthy.

Diane Weiss, Principal of said in the past this event has been a successful way to promote health awareness.

“All school districts are required to have a wellness policy now” Weiss said, adding, “the fair is an outgrowth of the wellness committee for people to come see what’s around and have fun at the same time.”

It was the first year for Zumba instructor, Marissa Hansen, to participate in the fair. Zumbatomic is a new type of exercise that is specially designed for kids. It combines different dance styles and music. Hansen said she hopes to teach children that working out can be fun.

"It’s a dance class so most of the time they don’t even realize they’re working out,” she said.

Several students said they were just as excited to participate in the demonstrations. Sixth grader Caren Alexander stood in the front row.

“Zumba is so fun you get excited; it’s like fitness in a fun way," Alexander said.

There were booths not only to educate children about wellness but parents as well. NEFCU, a local credit union and financial institution, had a booth about financial wellness.

Teri Corrigan, a spokesperson from the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, said she wanted to educate parents and children about drug awareness, cyberbullying, "sexting" and important choices. 

“Our belief is with knowledge comes education and once you have knowledge via education you have the power to make good decisions," Corrigan said. "It’s about making sure our young people and adults make good decisions so everyone stays safe."

There was also a blood drive at the wellness fair; Patti McGuire, a teacher at Manor Oaks, was in charge of organizing it. This year, McGuire selected 12 students to participate in the Little Doctors Program run through Long Island Blood Services. The students earned this privilege by writing a three paragraph essay about why they should be chosen, she said.

Sara Manners, one of the “Little Doctors," said the group's goal was to get as many people to the blood drive as they could.

"I'm always hoping for a better turnout but this year there was maybe only one deferral so that's something to be happy about," McGuire said.

Gregory Kyro of New Hyde Park who donated blood understood the importance of doing so. "I am O+, the universal donor. My blood is in high demand; of course I make it my job to be here.”