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Events
December 2024 – January 2025
January 1
Understanding Birth (Self-Paced Virtual Class)
This virtual course will include information about labor, birth stories, how to create a birth plan, and ways your partner can assist during the process of giving birth. Free of charge and self-paced, so there’s no stress or pressure to rush through the material, participants are welcome to sign on to begin the course at any time after 12 a.m. on January 1. The course will end at 11:59 p.m. Please allow 4 – 6 hours to complete the course. Class chapters also include comfort techniques, cesarean birth, newborns, postpartum, and medical procedures. Visit: https://tinyurl.com/mr2ckv2c for registration.
January 2
Car Seat Inspection
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is offering a free Car Seat Inspection from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Pediatric Associates Parking Lot, located at the Children’s Board Family Resource Center at 301 N Palmer Street in Plant City. This invaluable opportunity allows you to learn from a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician on how to correctly install and use your car seat. Registration is required for each car seat, and if you have multiple cars or seats, additional appointments must be scheduled. For more information call: 855-269-4777 and visit https://tinyurl.com/bdrkh8pr for registration.
January 3
Be a Plant-Based Wellness Warrior!
Lakeland Regional Health presents an energetic and inspiring evening with Jane Esselstyn, RN, from 5-8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland. This free event includes a live cooking demo by Jane, where she’ll whip up delicious, plant-based dishes and teach participants how a plant-powered diet can prevent and even reverse chronic diseases and assist in permanent weight loss while boosting overall well-being. Sponsor and vendor opportunities are also available. Contact Debbie Zimmerman at Debbie@phyto-fit.life or call 863-660-8588.
January 9, 16, 30
Total Joint Replacement
This free class is for patients who have a total joint replacement surgery scheduled, plus one guest per patient. The class will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Winter Haven Hospital – Wellness Conference Room, 200 Ave F NE in Winter Haven. For more information, call 855-269-4777, or go online to register at www.baycare.org/events.
January 11
Central Florida Health Expo
Don’t miss this year’s Central Florida Health Expo at International Market World! Located at 1052 US 92 in Auburndale, the expo is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers free health screenings, door prize drawings, healthcare education, health insurance representatives, and live entertainment. This free event is open to the public.
January 13, 28
Forget Me Not Infant Loss Support Group
Families and individuals who have experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or early infant death can gather with others to explore their grief while honoring their loss by learning how to strengthen communication with loved ones and engage in self-care activities. This free meeting/support group takes place from 6:30–7 p.m. at Winter Haven Women’s Hospital, Classroom C, 101 Ave O SE, in Winter Haven. Register online at www.baycare.org/events.
January 14
A Taste of Exercise: Support Group
Learn a variety of basic exercises to keep you moving and healthy and join others in a support group after the class. Share stories of hope and strength after getting in a workout from exercise from 5 – 5:45 p.m., peer support group from 5:45 – 6:30 p.m. Located at Hollis Cancer Center, 3523 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland. Please visit : https://www.mylrh.org/event/a-taste-of-exercise-support-group/2025-01-14/ to register.
January 14
Alzheimer Association In-Person Caregiver Support Group (Two Different Locations and Times)
A safe and supportive environment for discussions and education about Alzheimer’s and specifically geared towards caregivers of friends or family members with Alzheimer’s. Confidential and educational, participants can develop methods and skills to assist in potential challenges together. Located at Hawthorne Inn of Lakeland (Assisted Living and Memory Care) 6150 Lakeland Highlands Road Lakeland from 12-1 p.m.. Also offered from 10-110 a.m. at 6 Lake Hunter Drive in Lakeland. This event is free of charge, but registration must be completed via the Alzheimer Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
January 15
Diabetes Support Group
Do you or someone you love have diabetes? Join the Diabetes Support Group, hosted by Lakeland Regional Health. Whether you’ve been managing it for years or are newly diagnosed, the support group offers valuable education, resources, and connections with others. Located at Lakeland Regional Health Kathleen Campus, 2400 Kathleen Road, Lakeland and held from 10-11 a.m. For questions regarding the support group, please contact Gwen Rogerson Gwen.Rogerson@myLRH.org
January 21
HeartSmarts Class
Join Hearts Smarts, hosted by Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center at 3525 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland from 1:30- 2:30 p.m. Heart Smarts will help you understand heart disease and how lifestyle changes may improve cholesterol, blood pressure control, and reduce risks. Topics include the importance of healthy lifestyle changes, warning signs of a heart attack and appropriate action steps High blood pressure, stress management, diabetes, nutrition, and physical activity.
January 25
New Year New You Yoga on the Farm
A relaxing and realigning yoga session to start the new year of self-care off right! Located at Gutierrez Farm, 140th Street SW in Winter Haven, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the first yoga session of 2025 on a beautiful 8-acre farm, surrounded by stunning views and friendly goats, horses, pigs, chickens, and donkeys! The cost of this session is $16 and is from 10-11:30 a.m. and includes a light healthy meal before you go home. For registration and more information, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/y7293npc
January 30
Understanding Birth (In-person class)Located at and hosted by Winter Haven Women’s Hospital – Classroom A, 101 Avenue O S.E., in Winter Haven, this is an opportunity for all expectant mothers to connect with a certified educator to help prepare them for the challenges of childbirth, including labor positions, breathing and relaxation techniques and how partners can help. This free course will be from 6-8:30 p.m. and mothers must bring two pillows with them. It is also highly recommended that the self-paced virtual class from January 1 be taken before taking this course. For registration, (only register the expectant mother) please visit: https://tinyurl.com/yc3zrhfp