Fort Osage High School and CTC campuses hosted families, fire trucks, face-painters, and more as 1,000 residents attended Fort Family Fun Day Saturday, August 2.

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Held for the first time this year, Fort Family Fun Day brought community and over 20 local organizations together to celebrate Fort Osage families and to prepare students for the upcoming school year.

Two hundred and ninety-five students received free school supplies donated through the Community Service League. Supplies included free backpacks, binders, pencils, and more for students in elementary, middle, and high school.

"A lot of families looked forward to this," said Lisa Diaz, resident. "This could be the only family thing they do all summer because it's free. If you have three or four kids, you can't afford to do a whole lot."

Diaz, who has volunteered in the Fort Osage School District for 16 years, expressed an interest in attending Fort Family Fun Day next year.

"LINC does a lot for families with programs during Thanksgiving and Christmas and the backpack food program. LINC is a big thing for families," said Diaz.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., children played in bouncy houses and inflatable obstacle courses on the football field while parents connected with representatives from Mid-Continent Public Library, PTA, Girl Scouts, Fort Osage Youth League and more.

James Adams, regional coordinator for MOCHIP, helped families register their children with the Missouri Child Identification Program. The information recorded with MOCHIP is used to issue amber alerts, this physical information includes height, eye color, and finger prints.

"It's free for families to apply," said Adams. "We do this a service to the public."

Families also received health information and screenings with representatives from the Jackson County Health Department and Harvesters.

Zach Drumeller, Nutrition Education Specialist for Harvesters, educated families on healthy eating habits with Kids in the Kitchen and Project Strength for adults.

View more activity with Harvesters and LINC in Fort Osage.

Jackson County Health Department was available to provide booster immunizations for students entering 8th grade this fall.

"It's hard to come during business hours," said Sharon Engelman, Nurse Manager for the Jackson County Health Department. "We have clinics at various locations in the area, but school fairs make it easier."

View an upcoming health fair sponsored by the Jackson County Health Department.

Connect with Fort Family Fun Day on Facebook.