Rochester Mayor Paul Callaghan will present an official proclamation declaring October 10th as Children’s Environmental Health Day in Rochester. This ceremony, set to take place at 11 a.m. at the Rochester Child Care Center, 95 Charles Street, Rochester, NH, will be part of a larger event aimed at raising awareness about the importance of children’s health in the community.

The event will feature physicians, members of the Rochester community, and representatives from the offices of Senator Shaheen, Senator Hassan, and Representative Pappas. Mayor Callaghan will deliver the proclamation to Maria Finnegan of NH Healthy Climate and Cora-Lynn Hoppe of the Rochester Child Care Center. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the child care center and learn about recent air quality updates.

Children’s Environmental Health Day (CEH Day) is recognized nationwide on the second Thursday in October. The initiative is based on the belief that, collectively, we can create a healthier, safer, and more equitable world for all children—one in which fewer children face preventable health issues.

With a focus on action and equity, the goal of CEH Day is to raise awareness about children’s environmental health issues and empower individuals and organizations to take meaningful action to protect children across the nation. Every child deserves to grow up in a healthy environment where they can thrive.

Mayor Callaghan’s official recognition of Children’s Environmental Health Day underscores Rochester’s commitment to protecting its children from environmental threats and demonstrates a willingness to take further actions necessary to improve the well-being of the community.

Maria Finnegan, Director of the Climate and Health Initiative for Caregivers and Kids (CHICKs) at NH Healthy Climate, and Cora-Lynn Hoppe, Executive Director of the Rochester Child Care Center, are passionate advocates for childcare, childhood development, and the environment. NH Healthy Climate has been working with the Rochester Child Care Center and the city of Rochester to build awareness of the link between climate, environment, and health through educational programming. We are excited to spotlight this important work and to have Mayor Callaghan take part in this event as a champion for children and families in Rochester.