For the second year in a row, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s Project FACT, (Fathers And Children Together), hosted its Father Fest event during Father’s Day weekend to celebrate father figures in the community and this year, provide COVID-19 vaccinations to reach the most underserved communities. The indoor and outdoor celebration took place at Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club in Riviera Beach on Saturday, June 19.
“As we transition into normalcy and come to the end of a difficult year due to the pandemic, this event is one of the best things we can do to celebrate and affirm fathers and the roles that they play in their children’s lives,” states Project FACT Manager, Shamus Gordon. “We not only want to recognize fathers, but we want to educate them and provide easy access to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.”
According to the Palm Beach County Health Department’s latest statistics over 306,772 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the African American and Hispanic communities throughout Palm Beach County, while only 21% have been vaccinated. That is the lowest vaccination percentage of any community.
To help those who want to be vaccinated, Father Fest provided convenient and needed resources for those in the Riviera Beach area. The Health Care District of Palm Beach County provided Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer vaccinations, as well as incentives for those who received the vaccination. The T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society provided guests with more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccinations in an overall effort to increase the percentage of those vaccinated in the community.
Guests arrived at Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club to a carnival themed event, filled with music, food, games and prizes. Fathers and children experienced a variety of activities throughout the Club facility, such as internet safety sessions, haircuts, and a distribution of school supplies. Outdoor activities included a barbecue, water sports, tug of war and more. The first 200 fathers that attended received a $25 gift card to Walmart or Publix.
Project FACT was created by Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County to empower father figures to become more engaged in the lives of their children as well as to prepare boys and young men for the responsibilities of manhood.
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