SUMMERDALE, Ala. — With dozens of health providers giving everything from free blood pressure checks to chair massages, one would be forgiven if one thought the event at the Baldwin EMC office in Summerdale was just a health fair.

But, the stack of cans and nonperishable food in the lobby and the volunteers rolling up their sleeves for the blood drive let a visitor know that this was more than a “take care of yourself” event.

The annual “Power of Giving” was held Nov. 20 at the EMC office in Summerdale.

“This is the third “Power of Giving” drive,” said Donna Givens, Senior Governmental and Community Affairs Administrator with Baldwin County EMC.

The idea of the event, which was in its third year, is simple, Givens says.

“Co-ops were formed to meet the needs of people in the community,” Givens said. she added that most electrical co-ops continually try to find ways to benefit the community, and several years ago, Baldwin EMC managers noticed that there was a “severe blood shortage,” especially during the holidays.

Trouble was, getting to someplace to give blood could be a hassle. By partnering with LifeSouth, it was possible to set up a location that was convenient for Baldwin EMC employees and the general public. The drive gathered 85 pints of blood.

The food drive and the health fair came later. The food gathered at the drive was donated to Catholic Social Services in Robertsdale.

“As time went on,” said Givens, “we decided to add a health fair. So many in the community are not going to make a doctor’s appointment, but they will run by here. We’re meeting a need.”

And sometimes, it feels good to have that need met. Givens was putty in the hands of Rhonda Grafton, a licensed massage therapist as Grafton gave Givens a “chair massage.”

“We get the back, hands, and arms,” said Grafton.

Alison Trawick, R.N. of Mid South Home Health presided over a display devoted to the prevention of falls.

“People get a work out at home with our balance program,” she said, adding that the program is for anyone at risk for falls.

The consequences for a broken bone from a household fall can be severe, Trawick says.

“If you break your hip, you might be in for a hospital stay, and rehab. Sometimes you can’t return to your own home, you have to go to a nursing home.”

For the younger set, Polly Fisher staffed the Big Brothers Big Sisters booth. Big Brothers, which was founded in 1904, seeks to pair a young person with a caring adult. Big Sisters, which does the same thing for girls, was founded around the same time. According to their Web site, the two groups joined forces in 1977.

“I am trying to recruit mentors to work with children one day a week,” said Fisher, who added that she’s looking for Big Brothers and Big Sisters for Foley and Summerdale schools. The student, who is selected by the school’s counselor meets with their adult at the school.

“All types of people enjoy time with a little kids,” said Fisher.

Stephanie Grider a Registered Nurse with Cardiology Associates of Fairhope, Foley and Mobile offered blood pressure screenings.

“We have had a couple of people who were high (high blood pressure)” said Grider. “We give them a card about their diet, to cut down on sodium, and we urge them to see their doctor.”

“This is something people need to take seriously,” said Cindy Cazalas who was also in the booth.