By Derek Woellner —
Hundreds of students visited the Wellness Fair on Wednesday, April 1 (no joke).
The Wellness Fair is an annual event that allows local businesses to come to campus and show how they can benefit your health and wellness. In the four hours that the fair was open, more than 400 students, about 300 faculty/staff and just over 100 community members attended.
The fair was held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Sports and Fitness Center and featured more than 50 vendors.
Vendors ranged from banks that help with financial wellness to local farms that grow healthy, organic food. Students also had booths set up for classes or for various university organizations such as The Qube.
In addition to the many humans attending, there were also some canine attendees. Therapy Dogs International brought several dogs along for students to pet. The Dunn County Humane Society had a dog at their booth as well. DCHS Executive Director Josh Dalton explained that volunteering at the Humane Society is a great benefit to mental health. Students that miss their pet at home can come the Society to “get their pet fix.”
Attendees of the fair had the chance to spread the wellness through a blood drive and by bringing food pantry donations.
Carrots and hummus, Naked Juice and a cooked vegetable blend were served as a healthy snack. Lisa Eierman, Registered Dietitian of Dining Services, said the food was provided in a joint effort between the Student Center and the Commons.
A free raffle also took place. Attendees could enter to win a bike by filling out a survey about the fair.