Patient First in the Community

Mayfair Festival of the Arts has been held in Allentown, PA for more than 30 years, but this was Patient First's first appearance at this big Lehigh Valley event. We are sure glad we joined the Friday night opening festivities for this multi-day Memorial Day weekend event this year! It was held on the beautiful Cedar Crest College campus, which is a nationally registered arboretum with more than 150 kinds of trees. Allentown's West End was filled with fun, funky music and international food and what made our experience there even more fun was the proximity of the college to our Allentown center -- almost walking distance!

We couldn't have asked for better weather for opening night to kick off the event and the holiday weekend. There were all kinds of fun, family-friendly activities staged all over the campus for people of all ages to enjoy. Food trucks, craft vendors, artists, and two stages for music and live performances were among the highlights of the event. Of course, our Patient First tent was a popular stop for event goers, as well.

The line for our free blood pressure checks kept a steady clip all evening, and we had some amazing conversations with people from all over the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Of course our swag was a big hit, too, as it always is.

The planners of this event couldn't have been more organized, helpful, or accommodating, and we hope our schedule will permit returning in 2024 to participate once again!

After a 5-year hiatus, the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Power of the Pines Air Show and Open House weekend returned May 20 and 21, 2023, and Patient First participated for the first time in this enormous two-day event.

Although Mother Nature didn't cooperate on the first day of the Show and brought us rain all day, cancelling all flights, the inclement weather didn't dampen the spirits of event goers who came out to enjoy all of the ground features of the event. The second day of the event made up for it with perfect weather and a huge crowd. Estimated attendance over both days was 150,000+ people!

The show kicked off with a performance by the U.S, Army Parachute Team, also known at the Golden Knights. It featured members of the New Jersey Army National Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and Massachusetts National Guard, who flew a variety of planes including tankers, transports and airlift aircrafts.

The event also featured demonstration of the Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, as well as the Warbird Thunder team, which specialized in competitive aerobatics. Multiple aircraft and military vehicles were displayed on the grounds, many of which people were free to climb in and on.

Organizers hope things are now back on track for an "every other year" event. Next year's event will be at the military installation in Dover, Delaware and it will return to South Jersey in 2025. Patient First was well received at this event and we are looking forward to returning to the Joint Base for this event in 2025, and other events there in the future as our schedule permits.

This year marked the 9th anniversary for people to cruise on in for this annual car show in downtown Wayne, PA.

Patient First has participated in the event several times over the years, and it has become one of our favorites near our Devon center. As a sponsor, we have enjoyed interacting with the local community, and the many others who traveled from out of the area to enjoy a fun-filled day.

Originally slated for Saturday, April 30, inclement weather prevailed and the event was moved to it's May 7th rain date. This was such a great call, since Mother Nature smiled upon us and delivered a beautiful day with bright sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70s. Large crowds came out to enjoy the day, and all of the new, antique, classic and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles that were on display on two streets in Wayne. In addition to the many vendors, there was entertainment of all sorts, food and beverages, prizes and more for the whole family to enjoy.

Radnor Township organizes this event with the Wayne Business Association each year. Tammy Cohen, our primary contact person for the event, was once again amazing to work with prior to, and during the big event.

We were happy to provide many free blood pressure checks for folks who visited with us at our Patient First tent, and we were excited that people made a point of telling us about their positive experiences at not just our Devon center, but many of our other centers as well!

The 2023 edition of the Woodbury Relays marked its 49th anniversary this year, and Patient First was part of the big day as an event sponsor. We have supported this fun, high profile event in the past, but things felt much bigger this year. More than 4,000 athletes from across New Jersey gathered, along with their families and friends, at Woodbury's Junior-Senior High School on April 22, 2023 for this year's event. Runners in South Jersey are always excited about the Relays event each year; and organizers have it running flawlessly, with lots of activity from start to finish. It has become the highlight of nearly every South Jersey runner's program schedule, since it is one of the most historic track meets in the tri-state area. It's a big deal; gold watches are even awarded to the winners!

We enjoyed being on site for this event, where we offered free blood pressure checks, and talked about our services with those who stopped by our tent. Our Woodbury and Cherry Hill, NJ centers in particular received big shout outs from the many happy patients who visited, and told us how much they appreciate all that the providers and medical staff in our centers do. It also was fun for us to receive acknowledgement and thanks from so many local folks for our sponsorship of the "Patient First Scholar Athlete of the Week" at Woodbury's high school-- the venue for this huge relay event.

Even though it was a bit windy, Mother Nature was kind to us and brought us a mild, warm weather event day, which made everyone very happy. We are excited to continue to follow the amazing athletes who participated in this event; and, we hope to return again next year.

Without a doubt, every day is a good day to recognize and celebrate our veterans, as well as those who serve or are about to serve in our armed forces. A unique program-- "Operation Send A Vet," put together by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs ball club-- brought more than 2,000 veterans and their families together for the Pigs' home opener on April 4th. Patient First stepped up to the plate to participate in this unique celebration of our military for a second consecutive year, and we were so delighted to be part of the fun! We were present on-site with an information table, giving away items on the ballpark's concourse. In addition, our financial contribution enabled 100 veterans and their families to come out and enjoy the day, capped off by an IronPigs win!

We enjoyed so many conversations with both "old-timer" vets and new enlistees, while providing free blood pressure checks on-site, and distributing a variety of our give-away items. We even scored an opportunity for a ceremonial First Pitch, which was so much fun!

It is always nice to hear positive feedback from folks who have visited Patient First. People continue to be so happy to be able to walk into any of our centers without an appointment when they have an injury, or are feeling under the weather and need non-emergency medical attention.

This event was designed to thank our service men and women of all branches and status, by giving them an opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of a game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. This year's event was a home run, and Mother Nature brought us warm and sunny weather, making our experience all the more enjoyable!

We "got our Irish on" during Allentown's annual Irish Cultural Community Day event, presented by the Allentown St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Inc.

Patient First has participated in this event many times over the years, and it has always attracted a great crowd, with lots of fun and spirited families, organizers and folks from all over the Lehigh Valley and beyond. This year was no exception. There were plenty of activities for families and children to enjoy all day.

The crowd for Community Day was enormous this year, and part of three days of Irish-related fun, including a Friday evening event, as well as the 64th Annual St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday.

The return of our complimentary blood pressure checks was well received, and we were delighted to provide many during this event. We are always so happy to work with this great group of organizers who always put together a well-run and well-attended event. We were stationed at a perfect location, too, which gave us a great interaction and many conversations with event participants. We also got to enjoy the very talented Irish dancers, bagpipes and other instrumentalists and vocalists that made for an awesome day!  

"Playing music fills the soul like no other activity, and it provides an incredible and thorough brain workout," says Mr. Jay Dorfman, instrumental music teacher at Delran Intermediate School. "Thanks to a most generous monetary gift from Patient First, we have been able to improve the band experience for our student musicians."

Each year Patient First provides select schools near its centers with financial support for innovative and creative programs, projects and activities. This year was no exception. Band is a "co-curricular" activity at Delran Intermediate School, where students receive small group lessons during the school day. The full band rehearses during after-school hours, and presents  concerts in December and May, which are open to the public and free of charge.

Patient First has helped aspiring young musicians in Delran through the purchase of instruments to create an awesome band experience. New items include an electric stage piano, 24 ukuleles, various hand percussion items, an electric mallet station, percussion emulator, and much more.

Ms. Kim Hickson and Mr. Chris Sheridan, the school's principal and assistant principal agree that "Patient First's contribution has helped meet the needs of our students, and with the development of the arts and other creative outlets at our school-- especially the band program. Thank you!"

What started as an Eagle Scout project and construction of flower boxes at Uwchlan Hills Elementary School in Downingtown, PA has grown into something much larger. Through a monetary gift from Patient First, this project continues to bloom and grow, with harvests produced throughout the year benefitting the school's "Helping Hands" families as well as the Chester County Food Bank.

Each season 40 to 50 students in first, second and third grades participate in "Garden Club" where they hear gardening stories, assist with planting, weeding, watering and cutting flowers for bouquets. They also help with weighing and bagging veggies the garden produces at harvest time.

School principal Robert Giering along with two faculty advisors, Ms. Kate Cool (second grade teacher), and Ms. Alicia Reiner (first grade teacher) lead the project from school staff. School families and parent volunteers also help the program continue to thrive. Two parents have been particularly instrumental with this project - Heather Landgarden and Ali Bruenderman. They are the "garden experts" and have worked side by side with school staff every step of the way.

Planting begins in April each year and continues in June and August, with crops planted during the appropriate season. Harvesting begins in spring and continues into November. Patient First's donation has helped the Garden Club purchase hoses, gloves and tools for the children as well as added soil and compost, additional native plants and flowers and even umbrellas and cabling for vining vegetables.

Our Bethlehem, PA center is literally right down the street from the Hanover Township Community Center, and we are sure happy to be able to share the neighborhood with such a great organization. It was fun to return to participate in the annual Tree Lighting event December 2nd on campus. This year's event was likely their largest to date, and the campus was filled with cheerful holiday lights and beautiful decorations. Many activities for children and families were set up inside, as well. There was a whole lot of outdoor activity happening, too, which made the evening such fun for participants, and for us! Among the biggest hits were hot dog and marshmallow roasting over the huge charcoal grill, and of course the visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, and culminating in the lighting of the huge tree in front of the center.

We were amazed at the number of folks from the community who came out to participate in this year's event. Our safety blinkers and light-up yo-yos proved to be a huge hit and fun to see twinkling throughout the darkened campus.

As an annual sponsor of the Community Center, this is just one of several events we enjoy participating in each year there. It was great to kick off the 2022 Holiday Season and to wrap up our 2022 event season in the Lehigh Valley at this location. Bring it on, 2023!  We are ready for even more fun ahead!

This year marked our second year of participation in Bethlehem's Christkindlmarkt, and once again it did not disappoint. We were there for Opening Weekend for a full day of fun from morning until evening, and although temperatures didn't rise above mid 20-degrees during the day, it was well worth every hour we were on site. We had a blast and although it was chilly outside, our enthusiasm and the crowd's enthusiasm never chilled. The event runs weekends through December 18, 2022.

We enjoyed a fantastic outdoor location near huge tents that showcased traditional artisans and vendors, food, St. Nicholas and even a German ornament manufacturer. It was so exciting for us to be part of an event that is embedded in the Lehigh Valley, and named one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel + Leisure, and one of the top holiday markets in North America in USA TODAY'S 10 Best Readers' Choice competition, as well as OprahDaily.com. The event is known for its unique holiday shopping experience featuring thousands of unique handmade gifts. As you might imagine, a visit to the fun events puts everyone in the holiday spirit. We are already looking forward to returning in 2023!