Mayor Dan Horrigan and Community Partners Host “Rock the Block” Event Celebrating Healthy Families and Infant Vitality
Event is Saturday, September 7 at Stoner/Hawkins Park
City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Ellen Lander Nischt
Published: 08-30-2019
Akron, Ohio, August 30, 2019 – Mayor Dan Horrigan would like to cordially invite you to the Rock the Block event on Saturday, September 7, 2019. The Block Party will be held at Stoner/Hawkins Park (S. Hawkins Ave between Stoner and Slosson Streets) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will celebrate healthy families and infant vitality in our communities.
In 2017, Mayor Horrigan created Full Term First Birthday to ensure that all Akron moms are empowered to deliver at full term and that every baby has a fighting chance to celebrate a first birthday.
“Since the inception of Full Term First Birthday, Akron and surrounding communities have seen a 7% decrease in the infant mortality rate,” Mayor Horrigan said. “But we must continue to empower families, spread awareness, and fight systematic failures that perpetuate racial disparities in infant and maternal health.”
“The Rock the Block event will celebrate the lives of the children in our community. It will encourage future parents to enroll in programs that assist mothers during their pregnancies, specifically African-American women, who too often feel that their voices are not heard in our healthcare system.”
This event will be full of fun activities including a DJ, “touch a truck” demonstration with City and County safety forces, free haircuts, face painting, drumming and dance performances from community groups and much more. Admission and all activities are open and free to the entire community. A free healthy meal will be provided by the City of Akron, Mustard Seed Market & Café, and Sam’s Club. Please see the attached invitation for additional information about activities and sponsors for the event.
For further information, contact:
Ellen Lander Nischt
Press Secretary
Phone: 330-375-2325
E-mail: [email protected]
