More than 60 volunteers from the Cerritos College Project HOPE program were at the Anaheim Health Fair on Sunday.
The fair provided free physicals, flu shots and other medical attention to more than 1,000 Anaheim residents at the Brookhurst Center.
Among the volunteers were Michael Barrita, political science major, who explained the reason why he and other volunteers were there was to help.
“We are just here to help out those who need to have medical attention,” he explained, “and also help out those who can’t afford to pay for a doctor’s visit.”
That is why it was important to hold an event like this commented Johm Nicoletti, Anaheim external affairs manager.
“There are a lot of professionals who are giving back to the community,” he added.
Beforehand, Nicoletti said that the city had run advertisements on the radio and television and that more than 35,000 flyers were distributed in English and Spanish to let the public know of the event.
He was pleased with the turnout and added that the volunteers were taking initiative toward making a person’s life better.
Anaheim city councilman Henry Sidhu was the one who organized the event and said that there had been a call to provide help for those who couldn’t afford to pay for a doctor’s visit.
However, for Sindu, it was more than just volunteering time to give back to an entire community, “it is also about promoting good living to those who are in need.”
Manuel Canderario, coordinator of Project Hope, agreed. He said that what he hoped for was that Anaheim residents be aware that there is help for those who need it.
Also, because basically everything is free, residents wouldn’t have to worry about expenses.
Anaheim residents like Aracely Callederos, enjoyed the opportunity of the health fair because, “there are people who can’t afford to go in for a simple physical.”
She added that one of the benefits to having a health fair was the availability, since not many medical offices are open on the weekend.
Furthermore, Callederos commented that those who have volunteered their time are also reaching out to an entire community.
Angelina Lopez, another Anaheim resident, said that she too couldn’t afford to pay for a doctor’s visit because she was unemployed and had no money.
Lopez said that she was there because she needed a physical and also had to have her blood pressure checked. She said that she benefitted knowing that the volunteers cared enough to help out.
Fernando Fuerte, nursing major and Project HOPE volunteer, said that’s the reason why Project HOPE helps out during these events, because it makes a person’s life easier.