When disaster strikes, it reveals the character of a community. In Martin County, the Tug Fork spilled its banks and forced families to flee by helicopter from riverfront homes. But when the muddy water receded, compassion rose.
The flood that hit our county in February—cresting at 51.22 feet in Kermit, the highest in nearly 50 years—brought with it fear, isolation and loss. Yet even as the National Guard airlifted families to safety and volunteers scrambled to support displaced residents, Martin County did not just ask, “How do we recover?” We asked something more important: How do we heal?
That question weighed heavily on Eric Mills, director of the Martin County Health Department and chairman of the Martin County Housing Authority. Mills was not just thinking about logistics and infrastructure—he was thinking about children. He saw that the youngest victims of this disaster were not just losing homes and toys. They were losing normalcy. They were losing comfort. And in some cases, they were losing their sense of safety.
His response? Rebuilding Joy—a grassroots gift drive that grew into a regional movement, delivering over 3,000 toys to children across the county.
Partnering with the Thrive Community Coalition, Give Like Santa, neighboring health departments, and even national retailers, Mills reminded us all that recovery is not just about patching up buildings.
We should not underestimate what it means for a child to receive a toy in the aftermath of trauma. In a moment when the world has been turned upside down, a small act of kindness can serve as a powerful anchor. A toy can be a return to play, laughter and being a kid again.
And this was not a solo act. From Five Below’s truckloads of donations to Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving with gifts and good cheer, to FRYSC directors ensuring the right toys reached the right hands, the effort revealed the best of Eastern Kentucky: a deep-seated belief in taking care of our own.
Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s Commissioner of Public Health, said it well: “One thing that is clearly a persistent part of eastern Kentucky culture is that it’s family—people look out for each other.” That spirit was on full display, and the example set by Mills and his partners should be held up statewide.
But let this also serve as a call to action. Our rural counties face repeated natural disasters—floods, economic shocks and public health crises. We need continued investment in emergency preparedness, mental health resources, and the everyday needs of children who carry the weight of disaster without fully understanding it.
Let us celebrate Rebuilding Joy as a blueprint and a reminder that recovery goes beyond clearing debris.