By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
A new Yukon school has adopted a medical unit at Yukon’s community hospital to show support to local healthcare heroes.
Students at Primrose School of Yukon regularly write cards, deliver cookies and more for personnel in the surgical unit at INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital, 1201 Health Center Parkway.
Yukon’s Primrose School owners Kim Waterman and Alicia Abla are focused on community outreach while developing character in their 110 students.
“Our mission is, ‘Who children become is just as important as what they know’,” Waterman shared. “Part of our focus is on that character development, recognizing others, respect, and friendship.”
ICVH staff have cherished the personalized cards, pictures and words of encouragement.
“They just want to feel like ‘we see them, we hear them, and we appreciate them’,” said Waterman, who’s background is in early childhood development. “We’ve done cards and cookies, and in December, we sent some ornaments with the cards.
“We’ve also done a ‘healthcare hero giveaway’ to Bath Sorbet.”
The ongoing partnership with the Yukon hospital is a way to provide an “extra thank-you” to health workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, Waterman explained.
Before Primrose School of Yukon opened a few months ago, Abla worked at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital.
“I was in a healthcare system at the start of the pandemic, and I was able to see all the challenges that the health systems face,” she said. “My background is healthcare, and we know they’re going through so much right now. We want to be sure to support them during these challenging times.”
Part of Primrose School’s mission statement is to help the staff and the children make a positive impact in their local community.
“It was very important to us – from the day we opened our doors – to try to get the children involved,” Abla said.
SIX FOSTER CHILDREN SPONSORED
As part of their holiday giving spirit, Primrose School of Yukon also collected toys for local children in the Canadian County foster care system.
Instead of photos with Santa this year, Primrose partnered with professional photographer Tom Love to provide “Winter Wonderland” photos. Parents donated any amount to have their child’s photo taken.
The school was able to raise close to $1,000 to sponsor six foster children, whose Christmas wish lists were filled.
The foster care system also has faced challenges during the pandemic, Waterman noted.
“There is not as many people in a position to help,” she said. “This is near and dear to our hearts. I adopted one of my children through the foster care system.”
Waterman looked over the Christmas shopping list with tears in her eyes, knowing even the smallest gift would mean so much to children in these foster families.
“Our goal is to make an impact not only for our students and families, but also the community,” she said. “We want to be involved and we want to help.
“Luckily, we’re in a position where many of our families are able to help bridge that gap with us.”
