Lakeland Upcoming Wellness Events

Lakeland to Offer Free Babysitting Class in Watervliet

To help adolescents learn how to be safe sitters, Lakeland Health will host a free “Babysitting with Confidence” class on Saturday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Classrooms A & B at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive.

Created specifically for adolescents, this course covers a variety of topics intended to give participants the confidence and knowledge for caring for small children, including:

• Questions to ask before taking a job
• Expectations of a baby sitter
• Telephoning in an emergency
• Home and fire safety
• Infant and toddler care
• First aid and choking
• Discipline
• Food preparation

Participants must be in the fifth grade or be age 11 or older to register. Preregistration is required and class size is limited. For more information or to register for this free class, call 269-556-2872.

Lory’s Place Run, Walk, and Rock Happening May 19

Runners, walkers and other supporters are invited to register for the 14th Annual Run, Walk, and Rock for Lory’s Place, the grief healing and education center of Caring Circle, a Lakeland Health Affiliate. The event will take place in St. Joseph on Saturday, May 19, and is presented by The McLoughlin Family Foundation.

Last year, Lory’s Place provided bereavement services to over 3,400 children and adults, including bereavement programs in over 50 area schools. Donations and participation in the Run, Walk, and Rock make it possible for Lory’s Place to keep offering this unique variety of programs and services to all who are grieving, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Under the direction of event chairperson Christine Borah, the Lory’s Place 14th Annual Run, Walk, and Rock will begin at 8:30 a.m. The timed 5K run/walk course will take runners and walkers through St. Joseph’s Edgewater area, along Ridgeway and into Tiscornia Park. Chip timing will be used for fast and easy race results. All events begin and end at Lory’s Place in St. Joseph. Comfortable rocking chairs will be available for spectators throughout the morning along the edge of the course. Individuals or groups may choose to sponsor a rocker with a suggested donation of $150.

Registration for Run, Walk, and Rock is $30 through Thursday, May 17. Participants may also register for $35 on May 18 and 19 (7–8:15 a.m. on race day), but race t-shirts are not guaranteed. For more information and to register, visit lorysplace.org/rwr or call 269-983-2707.

CPR Class for Babysitters Offered in Niles

Community members are invited to attend a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) class for babysitters on Tuesday, May 22, from 5:30–8:30 p.m., in the Meeting Room at the Lakeland Hospital, Niles, located at 31 North Front Street.

This is an American Heart Association course which is designed to teach the essentials of CPR. Participants will be taught how to save children and infants from choking, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and the proper use of an AED. This three-hour class will allow time to practice the skills needed for proper CPR. Upon completion, a certification card will be issued.

Cost is $25 and includes booklet and certification card. Preregistration is required, and participation is limited. Participants must complete the Babysitting with Confidence program prior to taking this course. For more information, or to register, call 269-556-2872.