Free COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Clinics Scheduled Ahead of the Fountain City Classic
Fans are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, tested and stay healthy
COLUMBUS, GA, September 17, 2021 – Kickoff of the 31st Annual Fountain City Classic is only weeks away, so local and regional organizations are partnering to sponsor multiple COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinics to encourage attendees to safely enjoy the weekend’s festivities. These vaccination and testing clinics are sponsored by the Fountain City Classic, Inc., in partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine, Columbus Health Department, Davis Broadcasting Inc., and Columbus Civic Center. Vaccinations and testing will be administered by health professionals from Columbus Health Department and Morehouse School of Medicine.
Upcoming Vaccination and Testing Clinic Dates:
- Monday, September 20th, 4 -7 pm EDT, Columbus Civic Center (Drive-Thru Vaccination
Only) - Monday, October 18th, 11 am - 2 pm EDT, Columbus Civic Center (Drive-Thru Vaccination
Only) - Saturday, November 6th, 9 am - 4 pm EDT, Fountain City Classic, Columbus Civic Center (South Commons) (Walk-up Vaccination and Testing)
No appointment is needed for vaccination and testing. All brands of vaccines will be available, and fans who have already had their first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine can receive their second dose at any of the clinics. Original vaccination card and a photo ID are required. “Safety is the top priority for the 31st Fountain City Classic,” stated Rep. Calvin Smyre, FCC Chairman and Morehouse School of Medicine Trustee. “The FCC strongly encourages all fans, vendors, and sponsors to protect themselves and the community by knowing their status through testing and being fully vaccinated for the Classic’s scheduled events. Partnering with local and state health officials and community organizations to inform and make available free testing and vaccination is a testament to our commitment to host a safe environment and community event,” Smyre stated further.
Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D., President and CEO, Morehouse School of Medicine, echoed Rep. Smyre’s words. “Morehouse School of Medicine is committed to working with community partners and other institutions to support critical health initiatives and programs and to lead and advance health equity for those who have been traditionally underserved. We’re proud to work with Rep. Smyre to provide free testing and vaccinations to the community. I strongly encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated or have only received one dose to come take their shot.”
Anyone who receives their first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at the September 20th clinic can get their second dose at the same location on October 18th with original vaccination card and photo ID. Vaccinations and testing are also available every Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Columbus Health Department, 5601 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, Georgia.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to provide vaccines for our football fans,”
said Dr. Asante’ Hilts, District Program Manager of Columbus Health Department. “We
know how much the Fountain City Classic means to the fans and the community, and we
want to help keep everyone safe and healthy for the game and beyond.”
The Gold Sponsors of the 31st Annual Fountain City Classic include the Atlanta Falcons,
Aflac, Altria, AT&T, Coca-Cola Company, Columbus Sports and Events Council, Delta
Air Lines, Georgia Lottery Corporation, Georgia Power Company, Synovus, and TSYS |
A Division of Global Payments.
About the Fountain City Classic, Inc.
Founded in 1989, The Fountain City Classic (FCC) is an annual American football game between Fort Valley State University (Wildcats) and Albany State University (Golden Rams), two historically black universities (HBCU). The FCC is one of South Georgia’s premier events. Over the past thirty years, the FCC has provided $4 million in scholarships to both institutions' General Funds and awarded $200,000 in scholarship funds to students from Columbus attending both institutions and other institutions of higher learning. The Fountain City Classic football weekend has an estimated attendance of 45,000 spectators drawn to the gathering at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium and the grounds of South Commons in Columbus, Georgia. This year the event will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021.
About the Columbus Health Department
The Columbus Health Department is part of the West Central Health District of the Georgia Department of Public Health, located at 5601 Veterans Parkway. Nurse Manager Kimberly Fuller and her staff have given thousands of vaccines, and tested thousands of residents of Columbus and surrounding cities for COVID-19. The Emergency Preparedness Department, which is part of Public Health, has been instrumental from the very beginning working tirelessly to pick up and distribute PPE for not only the Health Departments in our district, but also hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices and others, as well as working at testing and vaccine events. Since March of 2020, these healthcare heroes have been dedicated to serving Columbus and our surrounding communities, and continue to work to serve residents of our area.
About the Morehouse School of Medicine
Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission—the creation and advancement of health equity. MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master’s degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit www.msm.edu or call (404)752-1500.
About Davis Broadcasting, Inc.
Davis Broadcasting Inc. of Columbus is a locally and family-owned radio and digital
media company committed to serving the community while providing broadcast excellence
for over 35 years. Gregory Davis, President and CEO of Davis Broadcasting Inc., started
the company in 1986 with radio stations in both Columbus, GA and Augusta, GA. Currently,
Davis Broadcasting consists of 13 radio station frequencies in Georgia to include
3 different formats in Atlanta (Regional Mexican, Hispanic Pop, and Smooth Jazz) and
6 different formats in Columbus (Urban, Urban AC, Inspirational, Southern Soul, Top
40, and Sports). Davis Broadcasting reaches over 200,000 different people each
week and broadcasts to listeners that spend billions of dollars in their local economies
each year. One of the oldest minority owned broadcasting companies, Davis Broadcasting
is managed by Greg Davis, Jr. and Geniece Granville, both children of President/CEO,
Gregory A. Davis Sr. For more information, please go to dbiradio.com.
About the Columbus Civic Center
The Columbus Civic Center is a state-of-the-art multipurpose sports and entertainment facility with 10,000 arena seats, 23,000 square feet of flat floor space, and 5,000 square feet of hospitality suites. The arena is home to the Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame and three professional sports franchises: Columbus River Dragons, Columbus Lions, and Columbus Rapids. The Columbus Civic Center has over 300 event days per year, to include basketball, hockey, arena football, concerts, ice shows, fairs, conferences, conventions, private parties, and receptions.
Contact
Robbie Branscomb
Executive Director, Fountain City Classic
rbranscomb@fountaincityclassic.com
706.577.3409