'Service to our community:' Health fair aims to honor MLK legacy

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A health fair on the city's north side aimed to continue Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work of addressing racial and income inequality.

Several Milwaukee groups organized the fair at Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center. The fair offered COVID-19 vaccines, flu shots, food giveaways and health education information.

"We want to make sure that the community is protected from COVID, that they have all the information and the resources that they need," Lorraine Lathen, president of Jump at the Sun Consultants, told CBS 58. "This is all about being of service to our community."

Organizers added focusing on health is an appropriate way to celebrate King's legacy.

"We're in the 53206 ZIP code where the disparities are vast," Lathen said. "It's important for us to focus on health; mental, emotional, physical health, that honors [King's] legacy. It allows us to be strong, vibrant people in order to make a difference in our communities."

Among the people who went to the event was Lula Rogers of Milwaukee. Rogers brought her grandson to get his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. She told CBS 58 she hopes the small act of keeping up to date with COVID-19 shots on Martin Luther King Jr. Day can move her family and community forward from the pandemic.

"We just thank God for having it on this day," Rogers said. "So, it's a celebration of [King's] day, getting healthy, staying healthy."

This was the second year for the event.