Racing toward wellness: Vandalia Health’s inaugural Dragon Boat Festival set for July 26

Paddles will hit the water with purpose this Saturday, July 26, as Vandalia Health hosts its inaugural Dragon Boat Festival at Stonewall Resort – a day where fitness, fun and philanthropy come together to support rural health care in North Central West Virginia.

One of the fastest growing team sports in the world, with nearly 50 million participants globally, dragon boat racing features 40-foot canoe-style boats paddled in perfect unison by 20 teammates to the beat of a drummer. It’s not just a thrilling sight — it’s also an incredible full-body workout.

“The Dragon Boat Festival is more than just a race,” said Laura McCall, Senior Director of Philanthropy, Vandalia Health Mon Health Medical Center Foundation. “It’s a chance for our community to come together, support one another and have fun while raising funds for two important hospitals.”

All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit clinical expansion projects at Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston and Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood.

“Events like the Dragon Boat Festival are a great opportunity to uphold our commitment to community wellness while also raising critical funds,” said Lisa Songer, Chief Administrative Officer of Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. “Our recent community health needs assessment highlighted a need for more physical activity and wellness programming, especially in our rural areas. This event provides a fun, inclusive way to get people moving — all while supporting the future of local health care.”

Local businesses, hospital teams and community groups will compete throughout the day, including a friendly rivalry between teams from multiple Vandalia Health facilities. Each team will race two to three times in heats lasting just under two minutes, with winners recognized during an awards ceremony at the end of the event.

“Thanks to the generous support of sponsors like Hope Gas, we’re not only able to move forward with critical expansions at our hospitals — we’re able to dream bigger for what health care can look like in our rural communities,” said Melissa Lockwood, Chief Administrative Officer of Preston Memorial Hospital. “The commitment from our sponsors as well as our community members empowers us to enhance services, invest in new technologies and ensure that families across our region have access to the quality care they deserve, close to home.”

The community is encouraged to get involved in multiple ways:

• Form a team – No experience required, just team spirit!
• Volunteer – Perfect for students, service clubs or anyone wanting to help.
• Attend and cheer – The event is free to watch and fun for all ages.

“The Dragon Boat Festival is a natural extension of our commitment to improving community health,” said David Goldberg, President and CEO of Mon Health System and Vandalia Health-Northern Region and Executive Vice President of Vandalia Health. “Vandalia Health proudly supports Governor Patrick Morrisey’s Mountaineer Mile initiative, which encourages West Virginians to get active and prioritize their well-being. Rowing is a powerful, team-based form of exercise, and this event gives our organization and community members a fun, meaningful way to support fitness while raising funds for our hospitals.”

For more information or to register your team, visit www.MonHealth.com/DragonBoats.