Nearly 400 fifth graders from Calhoun and Gordon County were recently launched into the “Good Health Galaxy.”

Also known as the kids’ health fairs, sponsored by the Gordon Hospital Foundation, the events allow students to make an “orbit” around the health galaxy, which features booths concerning nutrition, physical activity, safety, smoking awareness, and more.

“This was the fourth year that the Foundation has sponsored the health fairs,” said Judy Jackson, director of development for Gordon Hospital, who also coordinated the health fairs. “This year we took the Good Health Galaxy to Swain Elementary School and Calhoun Elementary School.”

Jackson added that the students learned some valuable information while having fun at the same time.

“Bringing together educators and volunteers from the hospital, the fair focused on key health issues facing the children in our community,” Jackson explained. “Best of all, it was presented in a format where kids had fun while learning important lessons about their Interactive exhibits at the fairs included a “Smoking Susie” demonstration.

Smoking Susie is a doll that actually smokes a cigarette. The smoke and by-products are then collected in an attached glass tube, which displays how much tar and chemicals accumulate in the lungs after just one cigarette.

Officials from the Gordon County Sheriff’s Department were on hand to talk to the students about cell phone and Internet safety. Children were also invited to create and sample a healthy snack, as well as test their flexibility and balance.

“All of us at Gordon Hospital and the Foundation really care about the kids in our community and want to do everything we can to help them grow up healthy,” Jackson added. “Through the generous support of the foundation and our tireless volunteers, our health fairs have become a valuable resource for health education.”