The ninth annual MOCH Health Drive 3.1 5K walk/run returns Saturday, August 5th. Runners will race through downtown Ava, along a certified 5K route. Awards will go to the overall male and female finishers, overall male and female masters, and top two finishers in each division. “This community event has helped raise money for various causes, most recently our Missouri Ozarks Children’s Health Fund,” said Tim Shryack, CEO of Missouri Ozarks. “It also promotes health and fitness in the community of Ava and helps make the community aware of our Wellness Center.”
The main purpose of the Missouri Ozarks Children’s Health Fund is to expand the existing school-based services provided by MOCH using a mobile dental unit. “These are children that need dental treatment that might not otherwise be able to receive the treatment, either due to lack of transportation or affordability,” said CFO Randall Gann. “This outreach effort is critical to improving the oral health of our communities.”
The primary focus of the fund is the offering of oral health services, but it will also include preventive care, behavioral health screening and primary care services as the program grows. The objectives of this program are to:
- Provide early access to oral health services and preventive care
- Provide screening and treatment services to children in the school setting
- Integrate primary care, oral health and behavioral health services for students in grades K-12
- Conduct community, parent and student education about the availability of oral health services
- Improve student health outcomes and lower overall medical costs
- Provide services regardless of the lack of insurance or the inability to pay
Participants may register at the MOCH Wellness Center or online. Registration at the event is also available. The pre-registration fee is $20. The fee is $25 on race day. Runners can prepare for the race by joining the Missouri Ozarks Do Run Club. Information on classes and fees can be found at mo-ozarks.org/ava-wellness-center/.
For more information about registration or entry fees, please contact Tim Shryack at [email protected] or Lacy Monteleone at [email protected] or call (417) 683-5739.
