The fifth annual Vecino a Vecino (Neighbor to Neighbor) Health Fair was held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Curtiss on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Deacon Lidice Montoya of the Northwest Synod in Wisconsin organized the event with the assistance of Pastor Kenneth Schmidt and hosted by the members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
One hundred eleven community members attended. Participants in the health fair could stop by the Hola Wisconsin-Abbotsford table to receive a flu vaccine, blood pressure check, and diabetes information. Clark County Health Department participated by providing health information, Taylor County Health Department provided vision screening assisted by the Curtiss and Owen-Withee Lions. The Lions also provided diabetes education. UW-Eau Claire Communications Department provided hearing screening.
Many other community organizations provided information related to job opportunity awareness (Northcentral Technical College), public education (Wisconsin Title I), youth camping programs (Luther Park Bible Camp), creation care-recycling (Katherine and Jeremiah Bellow-Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Stanley), Consumer Protection, and Chippewa Valley Voter Rights. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church handed out groceries, stuffed animals and prizes. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church handed out packages of diapers and hygiene items. Sleep in Heavenly Peace, whose motto is: “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town” distributed handmade pillowcases to children and took orders for four beds and bedding. Each participant received a coupon from Neighbor to Neighbor to eat supper from the food truck – El Piñal from Owen.