Belmont University and Kayne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church partnered this weekend to provide a free family flu shot clinic at the Easley Community Center in Rose Park, giving 94 vaccines at the Easley Community Center and to residents of I.W. Gernert Homes.
“Belmont has a great history of volunteerism in the community,” said Belmont Health Services Director Katy Wilson. “It was a logical and important step to add a health care dimension to that. My hope is that this effort will be the first in a long line of partnerships with the Edgehill community.”
Dr. Jason Rogers, the university’s vice president for administration and university counsel, added, “Belmont students, faculty and staff are already involved in a number of projects in the Edgehill community, but we are always looking for opportunities to further our service-learning initiatives and to be the best neighbors we can be. Hopefully, this event will go a long way toward keeping our community healthy this winter.”
Kayne Avenue Missionary Baptist brought food, games and balloons to the event to help distract participants, including numerous children, from anxiety about the needles. Vincent K. Campbell, senior pastor, said, “One of the things I like about this is that Belmont and the church are helping people overcome the barriers that prevent them from receiving services. This is a perfect example of how churches and non-profit institutions can partner together to do good for our community.”
