Free vaccinations for kids part of Bart and Nadia festival

It was a dedication to the full spectrum of health — both seen and unseen.

The seen was spread out across the convention center floor, with interactive exhibits and booths to engage families in healthy activities and to educate them on nutrition.

The unseen was inside a big white van with a smiling sun on the side: children's vaccinations.

Through a partnership between The Oklahoma Caring Fund and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, free vaccinations and VMI (visual-motor integration) screenings were offered to children at the festival.

The free services offered by the OCF embody the vision of Olympic legends Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci in spearheading the Sports & Health Festival.

“This is free, family fitness fun,” Conner said. “We don't want it to be exclusionary in any way.”

Kendra Jones is the program coordinator for the OCF. She said the white van makes 15-20 stops per year at venues like the Sports & Health Festival. Most of the time, the vans — all five in their fleet — are out in the community five days a week, aiding families in need across the state.

“The families are very thankful,” Jones said. “It eliminates barriers and costs of going to the doctor. We bring the van to where the parents are. It helps so they don't have to take time off of work, things like that.”