The 4^th annual Health & Wellness EXPO promised to be bigger and better this year – and it was.  This signature event of the Weaver Mountains Health Initiative had a 26% increase in attendance, 14 of the exhibitors were new to the event, and rankings on the evaluation sheets were very high.  But numbers don’t really tell the story, do they?  Little stories give a better glimpse of the day:  like the two different exhibitors who knew each other from 20 years ago, and simply ran into each other. Or the gentleman who was recovering from a recent surgery, and had difficulty while waiting for a flu shot.  A representative from PHI Aviation service helped him walk over to a quiet corner, the nurse from Yavapai County Health Services walked behind him with a chair in case he needed to sit.  One church offered a standing ovation the day after the EXPO for the successful day. I’m sure there are more stories; we look forward to hearing them. 

We are grateful for the incredible energy, thoughtfulness, organizational skills and attention to detail by the EXPO Coordinator, Krissy Wiles.  “The Coordinator was so friendly and such a sweet lady.  Awesome job!” appeared on one evaluation.  

We are so grateful to our sponsors:  Diabetes and Wound Care Centers of America, Legacy Hospice, United Health Care/Medicare Sisters, Wickenburg Community Hospital and Clinics.  Their financial support made the day possible; their presence, services and door prizes and give-aways made the day possible. Special shout out to Diabetes and Wound Care Centers of America, who will be setting up a clinic in Wickenburg; their team helped enormously.  

We are grateful for the volunteers who handled the countless details of setting up and tearing down the event, as well as support activities throughout the day:  Svana Anglin, Dodie Miller, Marie Sherwood, Wendy Qualls, Voni Jones, Kathy Fitzgerald, Wayne Keller.   One evaluation said “Ask us to volunteer next year…” We will be calling you!  One WMHI Board member flew in from Michigan to help out, see friends and enjoy again the beautiful high desert terrain. Board members Carol Lewis, (Assistant Director of Yavapai County Community Health) and Bethany Strickland, NP (specialist at Dignity Health Dementia and Alzheimers Center) handled the registration process seamlessly. Board Member Jeff Russell and his team at Diabetes and Wound Care Centers of America made a huge difference.  We are grateful for the help from Daniel Cummings, Kerney Taylor and Bob Ball for hauling tables and chairs from our community friends:  the Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church, Lighthouse Bible Church, Yarnell Fire District and Yarnell Regional Community Center.   Vanessa Purdy provided the sound equipment and the upbeat playlist throughout the day.  Marco Cecala got the parking system off to a no-muss-no-fuss start. 

We are grateful to ALL of our exhibitors – for engaging for a solid three hours with visitors and also learning about one another’s services.  “Loved all of them” wrote one attendee of the exhibitors.  “Thank you for your hard work,”  “This was fantastic!” Feedback told us that the skin cancer screening sponsored by Arizona Complete Health was a popular stop. The WickCare Clinic from Wickenburg Community Hospital was highly visited and lots of folks got flu shots from Yavapai County Community Health Services. 

We are grateful for the donors of the door prizes: The Yarnell Emporium, Wickenburg Tire Center, Diabetes and Wound Care Centers of America, Yavapai County Community Health Services, Wickenburg Community Hospital, Yarnell Fire Auxiliary, Dodie Miller, Marie Sherwood and Frances Lechner. We are also grateful to the individuals who offered to donate door prizes next year!  

We are grateful for the Wickenburg Art Club for the prizes for the art contest, and to the judges for the art contest:  Rebecca Wilks, Jerry Florman, Phil Snyder and Craig Lohr.  

We are grateful for the inspiration, work and dedication of Joyce Dennison, coordinator of the first Health & Wellness EXPO in 2022.  Joyce lost her long, hard battle with cancer in April of 2025; she would have been happy to see this year’s successful event. Her memory will be honored with a bench in the Yarnell Community Garden.  

We are grateful for all of the friends, neighbors, residents, and visitors who attended this year:  many of you are return guests – thank you!  And we’re especially happy to see new people at the EXPO!  

And finally, we are grateful that the much needed rain came pouring down AFTER our event!

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