BROOKHAVEN — It might seem like an odd pair to some but Rex Lumber-Brookhaven held a health fair and fish fry Thursday to care for their employees. Rex Lumber-Brookhaven Human Resources Manager Lorraine Stephenson said the health fair started when the mill was still Columbus Lumber 10 years ago. 

Since then, they have put employees’ health first each year with screenings, flu shots, hearing and vision tests and the COVID vaccine during the pandemic. General Manager Doug Boykin said the screenings have helped catch heart issues and other health concerns for employees. 

Stephenson said King’s Daughters Medical Center has been a wonderful partner over the years in helping to host the health fair. 

“It has been beneficial and great. We are excited with KDMC supporting us in this,” Stephenson said. “I think we realized our guys work long shifts from 12 to 14 hours, five days a week. There aren’t enough health clinics open for them outside of work. We made sure our workforce was healthy and helped them out. We set up wellness checks. They don’t have to go anywhere else. We will do our best.” 

She said they try to offer different health screenings each year at the fair and work to meet the needs of the workers. Next Thursday, they will have a Breast Cancer Awareness Lunch at Rex Lumber and will have KDMC speakers present virtually for other Rex Lumber locations. 

In November, there will be a no shave November for prostate cancer awareness. Stephenson stressed they are very fortunate to work with KDMC. 

Rex has 170 employees and about 130 employees came through the health fair and fish fry line. Stephenson said they plan to host the fair again next October. It is always the third Thursday of October which will be October 17, 2024.