Although BCHD grows and changes year by year, our mission stays the same – to promote a healthier you. The 2025 year provided our community ample means to get healthier together, and we are excited to share them with you as we continue to serve you with the same goals in mind this year!
First, let’s remember what our definition of “getting healthier” looks like. That is improving our physical and mental health by focusing on a three-pillar approach – moving our bodies intentionally, considering what we eat with a full understanding of what we are eating, and developing our spirit. The goal is to combine these three pillars into a single foundation of healthy living by focusing on the wellbeing of each individual.
August spearheaded our focus on pillar one, movement, by working with the Barton County Strength Club to host a fitness event and promote wellness resources within the community. Ten children and one adult participated in friendly competitions at Wyatt Earp Park on a hot Saturday morning judged by Kassity and Matt Hietala and other members of the BCSC.
BCHD was honored to serve twenty-two families with our car seat safety program last year. Both of our Child Passenger Safety Technicians were able to attend the Kidz In Motion Conference to expand their knowledge with funds provided by the Barton County Shriner’s Club, Blue Mason Lodge NO. 262, and the Lamar Elks Lodge 2800, all of which we are incredibly thankful for.
The Elks Lodge also partnered with us at other events throughout the year, including a Family Safety event in September to spread further awareness of safe sleep, drug awareness, and car seat safety. This allowed us to serve two families with safe sleep education and pack’n’plays last year, which we have already exceeded in 2026!
In addition to everything else, the El Dorado Springs Eagle Riders put together the Bikers-4-Diapers drive in August, which raised just over $8,000 for us to purchase diapers and brought in countless physical diaper donations. Donations of diapers and money were also received from the Vernon County Eagles and the Elks Lodge which enabled us to supply over 60,000 diapers in 2025 to the people of Barton County and our surrounding communities.
Our ever-growing WIC program served countless families in 2025, not only in the office with traditional appointments but also in four separate baby showers (two in our Dade County service area and two here at home.) Between all four showers, we had 50+ attendees who were given the chance to learn about community resources that would be beneficial as they welcomed home new children.
The Barton County Health Department has been honored to serve so many of our community in so many different ways throughout 2025. Soon, we hope to launch a three-pillar employee health system for local businesses to strengthen our community as a whole and provide everyone with a chance to challenge themselves in their movement, nutrition, and spirit as we do at BCHD. In the meantime, we are happy to continue growing in our goal to promote a healthier you in the ways we already do!
