‘Rooted In Communities’: Family Health Centers To Mark Special Week

Family Health Centers Inc. will celebrate National Health Center Week with a series of events Aug. 4-10.

The theme for this year's National Health Center Week is "American's Health Centers: Rooted in Communities."

Family Health Centers Inc. is part of a nationwide network of health centers that serves more than 27 million Americans. The event is part of a national campaign to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America's health centers and the staff that brings health care to the medically underserved.

NHCW events that celebrate the ways that health centers are "Rooted in Communities" are scheduled across the country, including health fairs, visits by members of Congress and state officials to local health centers, back-to-school drives, community breakfasts, patient appreciation events, free health screenings and much more.

For more than 50 years, community health centers have provided high-quality health care in communities across the country. With the support of grassroots advocates, these centers have reached beyond medicine to improve lives, enhance access, reduce health care costs and create a positive impact.

Add your support to their lives and help keep policymakers informed on the importance of community health centers. "Be the Voice" for your community health center. FHC patients are being asked to take the pledge to become an advocate and sign up at one of the satellite locations.

Family Health Centers Inc. will recognize its patients, community and staff. Patient Appreciation Day will be held Monday, Aug. 5, with refreshments and giveaways for patients.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, FHC will host a BY INVITATION ONLY Legislative Breakfast. The event will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Garden Room, 1190 Orangeburg Mall Circle, Orangeburg. The keynote speaker for the occasion will be Congressman James E. Clyburn, House majority whip and representative for South Carolina's 6th Congressional District. Clyburn is the third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. He previously served in the post from 2007 to 2011 and served as assistant Democratic leader from 2011 to 2019.

On Patient Health Care Day Wednesday, Aug. 7, FHC will select patients in its service areas of Orangeburg, Denmark, Holly Hill, Neeses, St. Matthews, St. George and Vance, where it will distribute laundry products to the residents.

FHC Agricultural Worker Health Care Day Thursday, Aug. 8 will select two to four farms located in Orangeburg, Bamberg, Calhoun and/or Upper Dorchester counties, where it will distribute hygiene products; educational materials and such as bilingual for the seasonal workers and their families.

Employees Appreciation Day will be held on Friday, Aug. 9 with lunch serve to the employees.

FHC will end the week by hosting its Annual Health and Wellness Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 10. This year, the agency anticipates at least 20 vendors will participate from various organizations and businesses throughout Orangeburg and surrounding areas. Free screenings will be offered by FHC, which will include blood pressure and glucose checks. Also, there will be health care counseling and a free food demonstration. In addition, there will be free food, great giveaways, games and activities for the kids, and Live Remote by The Big DM 101.3 FM.