Pottery, Toys and Lead Tests: Las Palmas Library Kicks Off Lead Awareness Week With a Halloween Mash
The City's Day of the Living Lead and Weatherization Mash brought lead testing for household pottery and toys, a costume contest and a food distribution to the West Side on Saturday — the kickoff to Lead Awareness Week.
Getting the facts about lead safety was the point of a Halloween-themed gathering on the West Side on Saturday. The City of San Antonio's Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, in partnership with City Council District 5 and the Alamo Area Council of Governments, invited neighbors to the Day of the Living Lead and Weatherization Mash on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Las Palmas Library, 515 Castroville Road, according to the City's release published October 22.
Families were encouraged to bring items from home, including pottery and toys, to be tested for lead. The event kicked off Lead Awareness Week with family-friendly activities and educational opportunities, a costume contest, food distribution in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank, door prizes and information about programs that help make homes healthier and safer, the City said.
"The Historic Westside is home to many older homes that hold generations of history and are an important part of our community's character," Councilmember Teri Castillo said in the release. "Ensuring families have access to resources that help them maintain safe, healthy homes is essential to preserving these homes and protecting the people who live in them." NHSD Director Veronica Garcia said understanding the risks of lead-based paint is essential to protecting the community's health, especially young children under the age of five.
