King County Metro’s Wellness Team recently hosted the 2023 Metro Wellness Fair to provide in-person support and resources on wellness, safety, and workplace benefits to Metro employees. The Wellness Fair (formerly known as the Health & Safety Fair) took place at the Atlantic/Central Base over the course of three days and offered a fun and engaging experience that focused on the health and wellbeing of Metro employees.

By hosting the Wellness Fair, Metro’s Wellness Team aims to bring awareness to the amazing health and wellness benefits that are available to employees and to foster the critical need for self-care. “Health is Wealth! I’m a transit operator and this three-day event not only helped build morale but also educated us on ways to enhance our lifestyle by utilizing the many benefits provided by King County Metro! Also, the nutrition demos with easy recipes for on-the-go and personal trainers showing us how to move during our breaks was phenomenal,” said Tonya Abernathy, Ryerson Base Transit Operator.

The fair included numerous onsite resources from King County benefits and retirement, medical and dental partners, and even free chair massages! There were complimentary health screenings, interactive demos on meal preparation, ergonomic support, mini-move sessions, injury prevention resources, and so much more.

There were also over 15 benefits vendors and partners including the County’s Employee Assistance Program, Critical Incident Stress Management, Balanced You, and employee resources groups, to help Metro employees familiarize themselves with their benefits and how to utilize them. There are so many benefits offered by King County so having a lot of the vendors and programs there first-hand to talk, answer questions, and provide more information to employees was just another added benefit.

“Balanced You loved being at the Wellness Fair and had a great time chatting with Metro employees. King County cares about employee’s health and well-being and has a variety of programs to meet their needs, both at work and at home. It is important to us that all employees know what these are and how to access them,” said Junelle Kroontje, Employee Social Impact and Well-being Manager.

The Wellness Fair mixed in some fun and engagement too. There was free food from on-site food trucks, giveaways, and plenty of smiles to go around. Upon entering the fair, participants were given a Wellness Transfer Ticket, which encouraged folks to visit the variety of vendors at each table. Each vendor would then stamp the pass and once participants pass was filled, they were eligible for giveaways.

The event also helped build community. Many of Metro’s employees do not regularly work at a desk, so this event is crucial for knowledge sharing and information gathering. It is also just as crucial to be in community with one another. The Wellness Fair not only offered support and resources, but also provided a space for employees to be together with their colleagues. Metro’s mission is to provide the best possible public transportation services and improve regional mobility and quality of life in King County. The health and wellness of the people behind this mission are a priority for King County and events like the Wellness Fair help make the mission become a reality.

See below for more pictures from the 2023 Wellness Fair.

Images courtesy of Thomas Hawthorne, Photographer, King County Metro.