Community Comes Together at Healthfirst Holiday Celebration in Newburgh

Healthfirst opened its Newburgh facility on December 17 for the third annual Holiday Celebration, welcoming more than 100 children and their families for an afternoon of gifts, crafts, snacks and basic health services. The celebration brought together community groups and health providers to reduce holiday stress while creating opportunities for outreach to families facing economic hardship.

Organizers said the event distributed 180 gifts, 150 of which were provided by partner Comfort Children Ministry International Inc., and that activities touched 210 children across more than 75 families. An outdoor hot chocolate station and a greeting from a fully costumed Grinch led into indoor activities that included age appropriate toys handed out by costumed Santa helpers, photos with Santa, and a hands on ornament making station.

Partners included Comfort Children Ministry International, TEAM Newburgh, Pizza Mia and Cornerstone Family Healthcare. TEAM Newburgh volunteers assisted with crafts and provided literature on the importance of talking with children about the dangers of drinking and smoking while handing out lock bags for medications. Cornerstone offered blood pressure screenings and distributed small health items including pens, chapstick, hand sanitizer and tissues.

“Serving the community is the best part of this day,” exclaimed Ermelinda Cortes, who helped with marker coloring crafts and educational materials for the third year. “The community really needs this,” Cortes added about the day’s powerful impact. “It’s especially true now when there is so much hardship going on; it gives people joy and hope which is something we all need.”

Parents said the event eased immediate financial pressures and created a hopeful environment for children. “This is so very helpful and a very nice thing to do,” said Ruby Ochoa of the City of Newburgh. Her daughter Scarlett said, “I’ll be grateful for any present at all; it really doesn’t matter what it is because I’m just happy to be getting something.”

Comfort Children Ministry founder Cynthia James, who personally delivered many gifts, described the program as a targeted effort to reduce stress during the holiday season. “Comfort Children Ministry International Inc. ensures kids get gifts to help reduce stress during the holiday season,” she said. Ralph Burnet of Cornerstone noted the mutual support among partners. “ We all support one another; Healthfirst support us and we them,” he said.

Beyond the festive atmosphere, the event underscored the role community health partnerships play in addressing social determinants of health. By pairing holiday assistance with prevention messaging and screenings, local organizations provided immediate relief while connecting families to resources and basic care. As winter progresses, organizers said maintaining these collaborations will be essential to easing economic strain and promoting health equity across Orange County.