Story released by Cincinnati WLWT. Click here to read the story, including video and photos, on the WLWT website. CCTST RPAG was involved in the promotion of this event.

CINCINNATI — Music, tents, food trucks and people from the neighborhood made the vaccine event at Laurel Park in the West End look more like a spring celebration Friday.

“It feels like a family reunion of sorts,” Cincinnati Children’s Hospital senior director for community relations Monica Mitchell said.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the Cincinnati Health Department and community partners put on the vaccine clinic.

“We wanted to put it in the community where we know people are. We also wanted to reach people in areas where the vaccine uptake has been a little low,” Cincinnati Health commissioner Dr. Melba Moore said.

Dozens of people were able to walk from their homes to get the vaccine or to talk about their concerns with the vaccine.

“People are literally, I believe, one conversation away. One conversation,” Moore said.

“We’re giving people the chance to ask questions, get their questions answered and that could be just the thing people need to get the vaccination,” Mitchell said.

For at least one person, persuasion was in a picture.

“It really hit me when I saw her picture. It really hit me,” said Clarence Mallory who stopped by the vaccination site on his way to work.

Mallory was undecided about getting the vaccine until he saw a large poster size picture of Lillian Carr at the site. Mallory and many in the community knew Carr from the local neighborhood house. She was known for helping people any way she could here.

Carr died of COVID-19.

“I didn’t have to think twice when I saw her picture. I just came on over,” Mallory said.

Friends of Carr said they feel like she’s still helping in the neighborhood, reminding people of the importance of getting the vaccine.

Story released by Cincinnati WLWT. Click here to read the story, including video and photos, on the WLWT website.