CULLMAN, Ala. – The Good Samaritan Health Clinic will host its Caring for Cullman Health and Wellness Fun Day on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 118 Veterans Drive, beginning with a ceremonial groundbreaking at 10 for the clinic’s new 5,040-square-foot facility.
“The excitement is building — literally,” said Jolanda Hutson, executive director of the Good Samaritan Health Clinic. “Thanks to overwhelming support from the local community and beyond, the new facility campaign has made incredible progress. The clinic is proud to announce a partnership with Badger Building Inc., who will serve as the general contractor for the project.”
The ceremonial groundbreaking will be held at the “Future Home” site at 118 Veterans Drive, where the new Good Samaritan Clinic aims to serve the community with quality care and expanded health and wellness support for years to come.
Following the groundbreaking, the celebration will continue with an afternoon filled with health resources, interactive stage sessions, food trucks, giveaways and family activities. Admission is free with the event designed to offer something for every age.
Throughout the day, health and wellness sessions will cover topics ranging from exercise and diabetes to heart disease, healthy cooking and financial planning. Counselors from Haven Counseling Services will also lead a panel titled, “Breaking the Stigma on Mental Health.”
“Local counselors and mental health professionals from Haven Counseling Services are coming together for a powerful panel discussion,” said Mandy Wilhite, LICSW-S, PIP. “This panel will offer practical tools, compassionate insight and hope for individuals, families and faith communities.”
A working list of stage sessions:
- Exercise 101: From zero to movement – Dr. Jeremy Stidham, Cullman Internal Medicine and medical director, Good Samaritan Health Clinic
- Type 2 Diabetes: The Problem and the Solution – Dr. Wes Hoskyns of Cullman Internal Medicine
- Breaking the Stigma on Mental Health – Haven Counseling Services of Cullman
- Strengthening Your Diaphragm through Song – Heirlooms Fine and Performing Arts
- Matters of the Heart: What Everyone Should Know about Heart Disease – Dr. Jeremy Stidham, Cullman Internal Medicine and medical director, Good Samaritan Health Clinic
- Healthy Cooking on a Dime – North Alabama Agriplex and Cullman County-Alabama Extension
- Planning for the Expected and Unexpected of Life – Edward Jones, Devin Allen and Maddie Shugarts
Local radio personality and community supporter Tommy Warhurst will serve as stage host for the Health and Wellness Fun Day. Known as the voice of 95.5 and a member of the Good Samaritan Health Clinic Board of Directors, Warhurst will introduce speakers, recognize sponsors and announce door prize giveaways throughout the event.
“With his deep roots in Cullman and a heart for service, Tommy is the perfect host to help make this year’s Health and Wellness Fun Day a meaningful and memorable experience for all,” shared Hutson.
A variety of community organizations will be on-site to share resources and services with attendees. Cullman Regional will provide BMI and stroke assessments, while Good Samaritan staff will offer blood pressure and glucose checks. Other nonprofits will highlight programs ranging from housing to senior care, while mobile health units from LifeSouth, Cullman Regional EMS, WellStone, and others will also be available for tours and information.
Alongside these organizations, local small businesses will showcase wellness-focused services such as massage therapy, counseling and health products. “This is a wonderful opportunity to dispel the common stigma associated with ‘massage’ and to share the many health benefits of therapeutic massage,” said Bess Wood of Quality Therapeutic Massage of Cullman. “Some of those benefits include pain management, recovery support, stress relief and care for common ailments.”
A full list of participants is provided below:
Nonprofit row participants
- Good Samaritan Health Clinic (providing blood pressure and glucose screenings)
- North Alabama Agriplex
- Cullman County-Alabama Extension
- United Way of Cullman County
- The Link of Cullman County
- Victim Services
- Brooks’ Place Child Advocacy Center
- Cullman County Commission on Aging
- Cullman Regional (providing BMI and stroke assessment)
- Pilot Club of Cullman
- Cullman Housing Authority
- Desperation Church
Mobile health units
- LifeSouth
- Cullman Regional EMS
- WellStone and Heads Up Prevention Program
- Cullman County Library Bookmobile
- First Source for Women
Small business row
- Cox, Stansberry & Kinsley
- Haven Counseling Services
- Quality Therapeutics
- Aurora IV and Wellness
- PTP Lab
- NEXTGen IT
- Sound Mind Therapy
- OmniPlex
Dr. Kira Sims, director of the Cullman County Extension, said her team looks forward to participating and bringing their unique flavor of hands-on learning to the event. “As a stage session, we will team up with the North Alabama Agriplex to showcase ‘Healthy Cooking on a Dime,’ demonstrating a few easy and healthy recipes. Tastings and recipe cards will be available for participants,” Sims said. “We will also have a booth set up with information on the services we offer, including soil sample kits, gardening publications, diabetes resources, youth programs, healthy cooking information and more!”
Families will also find plenty to enjoy at the Fun Zone, which will feature princess story times and photo opportunities, therapy pony Gnomeo from Therapy Partners, cornhole provided by the VFW Auxiliary, and face painting and balloon animals provided by CATA Health Science and CHS Medical Academy students.
“Heirlooms Fine and Performing Arts is thrilled to be able to provide family-friendly entertainment for Good Samaritan Health Clinic,” said Paige Clabo, artistic director. “We will have very special princesses visiting us and will be teaching breathing exercises which help the use of the diaphragm. Our princesses will sing songs with their new friends and read stories throughout the day. Don’t miss it!”
The day will also include a variety of food trucks offering everything from seafood and hot dogs to gourmet popsicles and coffee. Door prize giveaways, many tied to health and wellness, will be announced from the main stage. Attendees can expect items like fitness passes, massage certificates and more.
The current lineup of food trucks:
- Papa Sam’s Hot Dogs
- The Lunch Wagon
- Bryant’s Mobile Seafood
- Frios Gourmet Pops
- Sno Biz
- La Pasadita
- Holder Beans Coffee
When asked what she would say to community members considering attending, Hutson replied, “Come with an open mind and a spirit of curiosity.”
“We encourage everyone to set aside any preconceived ideas they may have about health fairs,” she said. “Instead, expect to be surprised by the wealth of resources available right here in Cullman County. From medical services and mental health support to fitness, nutrition, and preventive care, there’s something for every age and every stage of life.”
She added, “Our hope is that attendees will discover new tools, make meaningful connections and leave feeling inspired to take steps toward a healthier, more informed lifestyle. Whether it’s your first time engaging with these resources or you’ve been connected for years, this event is designed to meet you where you are — and help you move forward.”
The Health and Wellness Fun Day is made possible through the generosity of numerous sponsors, listed below.
Top tier sponsors
- Title Sponsor: NEXTGen IT
- Stage Sponsor: Anonymous Individual
- Small Business Row Sponsor: Freedom Insurance
- Nonprofit Row Sponsor: Desperation Church
- Food Truck Alley Sponsor: Virgil B. Fowler Insurance Agency
- Mobile Health Units Sponsor: AJK, LLC
- Fun Zone Sponsor: Jerry and Lora Raley
Stage session sponsors
- Affordable Automotive Tires & Services LLC
- Bill Floyd, State Farm
- Bill Smith Buick GMC
- Chambers Farm & Garden Supply, Inc.
- Cheri L. Cobbs, CPA
- Cox, Stansberry & Kinsley
- Cullman Savings Bank
- Haven Counseling Services
- OmniPlex
- Sound Mind TMS
For more information about the Good Samaritan Health Clinic or the event, contact Jolanda Hutson at jhutson@goodsamaritancullman.com or 256-255-5964.
