LISBON — A free event to connect children and teens and their families with local resources related to health, education and well-being has been rescheduled and will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Columbiana County Fairgrounds.

“We had to cancel the original event date in June due to bad weather, but we knew it was important to reschedule. Our amazing partners and vendors deserved the chance to connect with a large crowd and make the most impact,” said Lynsi Beagle.

Beagle serves as the director of prevention and outreach for the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

“We wanted to create an event that feels fun and engaging, while also giving families direct access to the tools and support they need to thrive,” she said. “When families feel supported, when youth feel connected, the entire community becomes stronger — and that’s exactly what Strive to Thrive is all about.”

“Our goal is to create connections that last well beyond this event — helping youth and families know they’re not alone,” she said.

Known as the Strive to Thrive Resource Relay, the event will include free food, a DJ, a balloon artist, several inflatables from Confetti House, yard games, horses from DLR Mustang Ranch, and opportunities to win prizes via the relay from resource table to resource table. Food available, all for free, will include snacks provided by Community Action Agency Head Start, two food trucks, and Papa John’s Pizza. Beverages will include water and lemonade provided by the Salvation Army Salem Corps.

A similar event was held last year at the fairgrounds as a family fun day, with a new twist this year by making a fun game out of visiting the various resource tables with representatives from county organizations, groups and programs.

Hosted by the Columbiana County Prevention Partners group of the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, the Strive to Thrive Resource Relay was made possible by the Appalachian Children Coalition at www.appchildren.org.

Other sponsors include: Akron Children’s, Aetna OhioRISE, Lisbon Lions Club, Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, COAD4Kids, On Demand Counseling, Community Action Agency of Columbiana County, Insight Clinical Counseling and Wellness, Meijer, Help Network of Northeast Ohio, East Palestine Eagles, Welding Improvement Inc. and FordCom Wireless.

The 29 resource partners who will participate in the event include: Salvation Army Salem Corps, Free Three, COAD4Kids, Life With Christ Ministries, Family Recovery Center, Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, NAMI Columbiana County, Catholic Charities Regional Agency / Christina House, The Counseling Center of Columbiana County, Columbiana County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Community Action Agency Head Start, OSU Extension, JCESC OhioRISE CME, The Way Station, Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Project DAWN, Akron Children’s, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, OhioMeansJobs and MCTA, Columbiana County WIC, Insight Clinical Counseling and Wellness, Columbiana County Help Me Grow. Columbiana County Children Services, Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, East Liverpool City Hospital, One Ohio Recovery Resource Center, Columbiana County ESC, Family Support Network, Kent State University Columbiana Campuses, and Alta Care Group.

Admission is free and open to the public with no registration required. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

mgreier@mojonews.com