GREELEY, Colo. (4/24/11) – The men and women of the Colorado National Guard have completed their Innovative Readiness Training in conjunction with the 9Health Fair.

Over the past 30-plus years, the men and women of the Colorado Air and Army National Guard have been one of the biggest supporters in delivering supplies across the state and into Nebraska and Wyoming. “Working with the Colorado National Guard to serve the people of Colorado is an incredible experience,” said Michael Niederhauser, 9Health Fair manager of information systems. “They always go above and beyond expectations. I am very proud of our relationship with the National Guard and also rest a little more easily at night knowing that we have such incredible people looking out for Coloradans!”

The 9Health Fair takes place throughout the state during April, however, planning for such an event starts more than a year in advance. CONG members work diligently with the Innovative Readiness Training Program at the National Guard Bureau to secure the much-needed funding to support the deliveries of the medical supplies. Countless hours go into the planning, staging, delivery and returning of medical supplies. By the end of the annual fairs, the CONG will have donated more than 1,500 hours, driven 15,000 miles, delivered more than 100 tons of medical supplies and positively affected almost 100,000 citizens’ lives.

“I look forward each year to working with the Colorado National Guard,” said Margarita Archibeque, 9Health Fair director of client services. “They are always enthusiastic about planning the deliveries and very attentive at making sure they provide the best service to our 9Health Fair volunteers – and they do!”

The training that is conducted every year through the deliveries has built trust not only for the 9Health Fair staff, but for the local communities that the National Guard is able to serve. This mission is twofold – not only are military members able to keep current on the training that is required for them to meet mobilization requirements, they also have the opportunity  to complete the training while giving back to Colorado and ensuring that the 9Health Fair will go on yet another year.

“The Colorado National Guard provides an extremely important service for 9Health Fair to reach individuals in 48 of our 64 counties in Colorado,” said  Jim Goddard, 9Health Fair president and CEO. “Their service and delivery of supplies is a key in keeping our health screenings very low cost or completely free. Without the National Guard, we would likely need to limit our services to those outside the metro Denver area. They are our partners in providing access to good health, and helping others ‘own their health.’”