City offers free health fair: Harlingen hopes to have it every year

HARLINGEN — Another line of defense for her tenants.

And another, and another.

As Emma Martinez moved from one table to the next at the Harlingen Health Fair yesterday, she learned more about how she could help those living in her apartment complex.

“It’s for the elderly,” said Martinez, the apartment manager.

“I’m trying to get information for my residents.”

The health fair at Pendleton Park was organized by the Harlingen Parks and Recreation Department.

Numerous organizations had set up tables to educate the public about their services. One table had been set up by Tu Salud Si Cuenta, a local Spanish-language broadcasting program designed to educate people about their health.

Sunny Glen Children’s Home also had a table, as did the Family Crisis Center, Neighbors Emergency Center and Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas.

This is the first year the city has held this particular fair.

“It’s a little slow,” said Javier Mendez, parks director. “We’re thinking about having it every year. We’re trying to get people out to get their blood pressure checked.”

Nurses from various entities were at the Tu Salud Si Cuenta! table checking blood pressure, blood glucose levels and cholesterol.

“This is our first time being here doing these exams,” said nurse Carol Ruiz. “We’re trying to participate in different health fairs in Cameron County and Hidalgo County.”

Ruiz from Valley Baptist Health System and Marinna Carrizales from the UT Health System gave Rolando Vega a complete workup.

“It was awesome,” said Vega, 42. “I wish my mother was here so she could enjoy and learn and listen.”