Fifth Annual Baby Fair makes connections

By Kim Swaney

Early Childhood Services employee Marlene Rorvik offers Alicia and her little family gift bags from the American Indian Relief Council. (Kim Swaney photo)

RONAN — It was like Christmas and Thanksgiving all in one day during the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Early Childhood Services’ Fifth Annual Baby Fair held almost two weeks ago.

The well-attended Baby Fair helped parents, grandparents, childcare providers and community members make connections with various services available on the reservation for autism awareness, literacy programs, community and statewide programs and services for families.

Lake County and Tribal Health officials hunkered down by the doorway, provided immunizations for H1N1 and various other childhood vaccinations to families entering the event.

Health officials also provided free wellness and development screenings for children and safety seat inspections as well.

ECS provided free family portraits and gift bags were offered by the American Indian Relief Council - which were a hit among kids and parents alike.

Charlie and Sonia Quequesah and their girls take advantage of the free family photo offered at the Fifth Annual Baby Fair. (Kim Swaney photo)

Kicking Horse Job Corps Center provided personnel at various stations to assist with the half-day event. Job Corps students helped serve lunch to hundreds in attendance throughout most of the day.

Ronan Telephone Company tapped in on the event as well by providing information on the Lifeline and Link Up programs available to families who have limited income.

Many of the adults in attendance have been to the Baby Fair before and were eagerly wandering from booth to booth, connecting with services and collecting door prizes, baked goods from the cake walks, and information and souvenirs from various businesses.

A lot of the parents said they have been to at least one Baby Fair in the past and wanted to come back again for the annual event.

“I had to borrow some kids, just so I could come back. My kids are all grown-up,” says a Pablo parent.
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