MEDIA ADVISORY

The annual Benefits and Wellness Fair for employees at SIU School of Medicine again includes a Community Service Fair. The two fairs will be held concurrently 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, September 22, in a large tent just north of the School's main building (801 N. Rutledge).

SIU's Human Resources staff organizes the benefits and wellness fair each year so that the 1100-plus employees at the medical school can gather information on various benefit programs, connect with various local services, and participate in local health screenings provided by SIU Physicians & Surgeons.

Local community service groups were invited to set up booths so they can talk to employees about volunteering with their organizations. The community service groups participating are - 5th Street Renaissance, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Caregivers Interfaith Volunteer Services, Catholic Charities, Central Illinois Foodbank, Enos School, Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hands, Make A Wish Foundation, Mary Bryant Home for the Blind, MERCY Communities, Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery, Ronald McDonald House, Rutledge Youth Foundation, Sojourn Shelter, SPARC, Volunteers in Action Literacy Program and Washington Street Mission. A group of faculty, staff and students work to expand the medical school's current volunteer and service efforts and again organized the community service fair in support of that effort.

Local reporters are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Ruth Slottag or Nancy Zimmers, SIU Public Affairs, 545-2155.