Brookfield Elementary School has gotten behind a Hometown Pharmacy program that provides free, chewable multi-vitamins to kids aged 5 to 12.
Although the Healthy Kids Vitamin Program has been around for seven years – in partnership with the United Way – and schools within the Hometown Pharmacy service area are approached each year, a company spokeswoman said, a presentation made at a principals’ meeting piqued the interest of Principal Stacey Filicky.
The school sent applications home with students in January. A parent can bring the filled-out form into the pharmacy and will receive a punch card that allows them to pickup up a bottle once a month.
“We were excited to be able to get it into Brookfield,” said Melissa Joseph, vice president of strategic solutions for Hometown Pharmacy. She noted the Brookfield pharmacy at 7160 Warren Sharon Road is in a good location. It’s by Mr. D’s Food Fair and not far away from the school.
“I’m really happy our parents are taking advantage of it,” Filicky said.
Some parents have trouble affording the cost of vitamins, she said.
“We’re trying to help with community involvement and the care of children in our area,” Joseph said, noting Hometown Pharmacy also has a free vitamin program for seniors.
There were no numbers available for how popular the program has been in Brookfield, Joseph said, but she noted that 10,000 bottles were handed out last year from Hometown’s 14 locations.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” said Brookfield school nurse Rhonda Zebroski. “There’s a lot of germs going around during the school year. The extra vitamins mean better health. A healthy kid is a kid that can learn a lot better.”
Filicky said she will remind students at the end of the school year that they can get the vitamins all year around, not just during the school year.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for our families,” she said.
For more information or to register, go to www.thehometownpharmacies.com or visit a Hometown Pharmacy location.
