PITTSTON — The Pittston Memorial Library is a place for books, movies and games. It was also a place for medical advice during its annual Health Fair this week.

The event was held Nov. 4 in the John P. Cosgrove Center with over 20 vendors from medical organizations throughout Luzerne County.

Howard Grossman, fundraising coordinator for the library, said the event gets bigger every year.

“We have more vendors this year,” he said.

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Most of the vendors were at previous library-sponsored Health Fairs, but one new vendor included Preferred Care at Home, which recently opened a location on Broad Street in the city this past summer.

Sharon Ahearn, owner/administrator of Preferred Care at Home, said the Health Fair was a good way for her company to get its name in front of the public.

She described the business as a way to help care for senior citizens in their own homes.

“We’re in business to help the seniors at home,” Ahearn said. “That’s what we do. I think the future is going to be where people have choices, whether it’s going to a facility or staying at home, and that’s why we’re in this business to help people stay in their home.”

As the event went on, Ahearn, along with assistant administrator Janelle Guiliano, saw the importance of the Health Fair in terms of not only providing their own information, but learning about other organizations.

“I think it’s great for people to get to know other companies because we are referrals for each other,” Guiliano said. “It gives us a chance to meet them, and it gives us a chance to meet the community.”

Vendors from outside Greater Pittston were on hand, as well, including Caring Communities for AIDS which has offices in Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Bloomsburg and Towanda.

According to its website, Caring Communities For AIDS is a non-profit, community-based AIDS Service Organization (ASO). The agency began in 1991 as an informal, grassroots organization in response to the local HIV/AIDS need.

Anne Krothe-Wolfe, communications coordinator for Caring Communities for AIDS, changed things up by bringing a spinning wheel with her to keep her booth both educational and interactive.

“We know that sometimes people at Health Fairs are a little nervous to talk to people,” she said. “I think making something interactive makes it easier for people to be interactive with us and for us to interact with people, as well.”

While the Health Fair was a way for members of the community to learn, it was also a way for vendors to learn about each other.

Cameron Marotto, care coordinator for Comfort Keepers, a non-medical home care provider, said this was his first time attending the library’s Health Fair.

“It seems like a great place for everyone to learn more about their options,” he said.

Vendors and residents packed into the John P. Cosgrove Center at the Pittston Memorial Library for its third annual Health Fair.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Health-Fair-1.jpgVendors and residents packed into the John P. Cosgrove Center at the Pittston Memorial Library for its third annual Health Fair. Jimmy Fisher | Sunday Dispatch

Anne Krothe-Wolfe, right, communications coordinator for Caring Communities, talks with Cameron Marotto, care coordinator for Comfort Keepers, during the Pittston Memorial Library’s third annual Health Fair.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Health-Fair-2.jpgAnne Krothe-Wolfe, right, communications coordinator for Caring Communities, talks with Cameron Marotto, care coordinator for Comfort Keepers, during the Pittston Memorial Library’s third annual Health Fair. Jimmy Fisher | Sunday Dispatch

By Jimmy Fisher

jfisher@timesleader.com

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher