Health Clinics and Schools Team Up to Bring Christmas Gifts

Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky and school based Family Resources and Youth Services Centers joined forces to purchase and distribute gifts to more than 600 children across five clinic locations on December 15. The campaign covered clinics in Knott, Perry, Letcher and Leslie counties, including two sites in Perry County, and relied on need based lists from school FRYSC directors to identify children most at risk of being left out at the holidays.

“Every clinic that we provide for, which is in Knott, Perry, Letcher and Leslie, and we have two in Perry, so we have five locations. Every family resources directors gets to give us a list of the kids that they think may need a little extra help this Christmas,” said Chas Gayheart, public relations coordinator for Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky.

The work demonstrates how local primary care providers are stepping beyond clinical services to respond to social determinants of health that shape child wellbeing. School based FRYSC programs often serve as the first line of identification for families facing housing instability, food insecurity and limited access to community supports. The clinics' fundraising and purchasing of wish list items provided immediate material relief for families, while reinforcing bonds between health services and schools.

Stephanie Wooton, FRYSC director for Perry County Public Schools, emphasized the program's importance to children and to staff working directly with families. “Being able to provide for the kids is everything. I mean, that is what this job is about. Just being able to make sure the kids have that merry Christmas and to know that no kids are being left out,” Wooton said.

Beyond holiday cheer, the initiative carries public health implications. Programs that address basic needs reduce stress on caregivers, support child development, and can lower barriers to accessing care. In rural counties where transportation, reduced clinic capacity and economic hardship limit services, coordinated efforts like this fill gaps but also point to systemic needs for sustainable funding and policy support for school based social services and community health centers.

Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky will host Christmas on the Hill at its Hazard event center tonight, December 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The free event features hot chocolate, food, crafts and an appearance by Santa, and offers another opportunity for families to connect with local providers and supports during the holiday season.