QuitLinks program offers free carnival at Heritage State Park
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - North Berkshire County residents will be treated to a free carnival this Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams. QuitLinks, a tobacco treatment program offered through REACH for Community Health at North Adams Regional Hospital, sponsors the carnival with support from BMC Healthnet.“Carnivals bring families together and we have had tremendous success with this format in previous years,” said program coordinator Jennifer Civello. “There will be games, food, and entertainment along with health resource information for families.”
QuitLinks is a tobacco treatment program developed with the best interests of pregnant women and moms in mind. It offers individual counseling to help moms and moms-to-be quit smoking. QuitLinks also offers support to other family members to create a supportive quit environment for the mother.
The program is free and open to all women who are pregnant or a mother of young children. There are no income guidelines.
The QuitLinks Carnival will offer free snow cones and cotton candy for a true carnival effect, but healthy snacks and drinks will also be available. Entertainment will be provided by Trevor the Games Man and Bowie the Clown. A dunking booth will feature local celebrities.
Slider, the SteepleCats mascot, will make an appearance. WBEC will broadcast live and attendees will have the chance to win a home in WBEC’s summer give-away. The Heritage Park Tot Train will provide rides for kids around Western Gateway Heritage State Park.
“We’ve worked with local community-based agencies to put this carnival together,” said Civello. “BMC Healthnet and the Mayor’s Office of Tourism have been instrumental in putting this carnival together.”
Volunteers are needed to help staff carnival booths, assist with set-up, and clean up. Agencies interested in participating are encouraged to call Civello at 413-664-5567.
REACH for Community Health is the community education arm of North Adams Regional Hospital. Its mission is to improve the health and wellness of the Northern Berkshire community through education, outreach, programming, and advocacy in collaboration with community members and organizations.
For more information, please call Jennifer Civello at 413-664-5567 or Sharon Leary at 413-664-5404.
