Summer 2025 7 Serving up good nutrition all summer long As summer rolls in, many kids miss out on the nutritious breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year. But the Texas Health Mansfield team is determined to make sure they continue getting enough to eat even after the summer school bell rings. “We thought, let’s at least give them a good, hearty breakfast over the summertime,” says Toke Mayes, Director of Environmental Services and Food and Nutrition. “That’s why we do it.” He’s talking about a May cereal drive, now in its fourth year. The collaborative effort between hospital team members and the Mansfield community has sparked friendly competition among staff to see who can collect the most cereal. But kids are the biggest winners. This year, team members donated nearly 26,000 servings of cereal to the Mansfield Mission Center, which supports local families in need. It took two cargo vans to haul all that cereal! Together with other summer food programs, the cereal drive plays a crucial role in ensuring that kids get a nutritious breakfast all summer long. “We’re here to serve,” Toke says. “This is just one of the many avenues we have to be able to do that.” Stay cool and safe this summer Enjoy your active days this summer with these safety reminders from family medicine provider Renee Baril, FNP-BC: Rise and shine. When the heat is on, exercise indoors or in the early morning. Bring a water bottle. Help prevent dehydration and heat illness by having plenty of fluids, especially water, on hand. “It’s your best source of hydration,” Renee says. Remember the sunscreen. Sunscreen can help prevent skin damage that leads to skin cancer. “I have patients who come in with skin lesions the same color as their skin, but they’re a little raised,” Renee says. “Those are often actinic keratosis, and they’re precursors to cancer.” A common mistake? Forgetting to reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. “It’s not just once and you’re done,” Renee says. Heed the signs of overheating. Early signs of heat illness include thirst, dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating and nausea. “Get to a cool place that has air conditioning or rest in the shade,” Renee says. Loosen your clothing and sip water to help with cooling. If the symptoms don’t improve, seek medical help. Get connected to great care To make an appointment with Renee Baril, FNP-BC, visit TexasHealthMansfield.org/Baril. Get connected Follow us on social media to stay updated on more events like this!
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