Postville Pool receives sunscreen dispensers and refills from Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital

With July typically being one of the hottest months of the year in Northeast Iowa, there is no better place to cool off than the local swimming pool. However, while enjoying the cool water and warm sunshine, it is important to protect exposed skin from the sun’s rays.

July is UV Safety Awareness Month and August is Summer Sun Safety Awareness Month and the goal of these months is to raise awareness about how to protect vulnerable body parts, such as the eyes and skin, from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. In conjunction with Safety Awareness Month, Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union donated free sunscreen dispensers and refills to the Postville Swimming Pool.

The kids had the opportunity to use the sunscreen for the first time at the home swim meet two weeks ago when they raced against their parents.

Recently, Jennifer Olsen, Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics/Palmer Memorial Foundation’s Marketing and Foundation Specialist, visited Postville Childcare Services, and distributed sun safety kits to children attending the Center’s Summer Camp to use during their summer camp pool day the following week. The safety kits included sunscreen, reapplication detecting stickers, and sunscreen chapstick. While receiving the sun safety kits, the kids were reminded, “Protect your complexion, use sun protection!”

Olsen explained, “Myself, along with two others, taught the children at the NICC (Northeast Iowa Community College) Ag Safety Camp between the ages of four and 12 about sun safety, preventing skin damage and treating burns.”

The sunscreen dispensers were certain to get a workout this past Monday when a “Fun Day” was held at the Postville Pool. There was a DJ present from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., along with water games and prizes. Some of the lucky winners were awarded circus tickets for next month’s performance.

The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus is coming to the Big Four Fairgrounds in Postville Saturday, August 3 with showtimes at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Culpepper and Merriweather is a tented, one-ring circus. Weather permitting, there will be pony rides, a 22 foot  inflatable slide, and a colorful carousel moon bounce. Circus acts include trapeze, unicycles, dare devils, performing animals, and much more.

Tickets for the circus are available at Postville City Hall, Freedom Bank, and Fidelity Bank and Trust.