The holiday dreams of less fortunate families in Flagler County are about to be granted again through the work of the Bunnell-based non-profit, Christmas Come True.
“If everybody gave just a little bit, we would have a lot to help these families,” said Nadine King, the organization’s founder, and executive director.
CCT was founded 13 years ago when King retired to Flagler County right during the 2008 housing bubble economic crash. “Businesses were closing, and people were losing their jobs,” recalled King. “Flagler County was falling apart and I saw children that needed to feel some security.”
Even though she was new to the area, King went door-to-door to businesses that remained open and asked for assistance for the newly established non-profit. She joined the county’s chamber of commerce and went to every “meet and greet” event available inquiring who could help.
“I went to everyone I could and just started asking people to help me get this done,” said King.
Her efforts paid off.
That first year, CCT provided Christmas for 54 families with 152 kids. Since then, the CCT program has grown providing Christmas for 164 families with 503 children in 2020 with a total price tag of $168,000.
King’s hope is that the organization, which depends on the generosity of others, will match, or exceed those numbers for 2021.
Christmas trees decorated with gift tags detailing the specific wishes of children in families CCT assists will be on display at 30-plus county businesses by the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
To make its deadline to deliver Christmas on Dec. 20 to area families, CCT needs donations by Dec. 10.
Each year, CCT volunteers interview the heads of household for each family to identify the exact needs and wishes of the children of the family – including their favorite colors.
“All of the presents are tagged and bagged without the kids seeing them so that parents and grandparents (who have stepped up to take care of for their grandchildren) have the ability to give these kids Christmas presents with dignity and make Christmas a special day for these children,” said King.
She is facing a bit of a dilemma this year: She needs a 10,000 square foot space for the processing and distribution effort. King is still in search of such a spot – hopefully donated to the non-profit’s work to keep more of its budget focused on presents and toys for kids.
But she remains hopeful that a local property owner with a Santa-like spirit will offer space for the temporary endeavor.
While its name implies a focus on the holidays, CCT operates year-round to help economically challenged families. Many single mothers and grandparents now taking on child-raising duties depend on CCT to offset the cost of clothing, food, and shelter needs.
“We work all year long helping families and getting them out of emergency situations and somewhat back on their feet,” said King.
CCT’s store, Begin Again Home Goods, generates enough to cover the group’s operating expenses, said King. But it serves an even greater purpose: recycled goods available at affordable prices as well as a room in the store dedicated to the wares of local small business owners.
But as the calendar turns toward the holidays, King’s energies are focused on Christmas and coordinating with the numerous volunteers that help CCT.
Stockings for the children are being sewn by one group of ladies; another group of women is baking enough cookies to provide one dozen per family.
Each family receives new clothing, wrapped toys and a Christmas turkey dinner with all the trimmings purchased from Publix.
In 2000, more than $3,000 in Publix gift cards were donated by community members to assist CCT in purchasing the dinners, which average about $60 per family.
“With the projected shortages, the dinners are going to cost more this year,” said King. She estimates the Christmas dinners will cost anywhere from $70 to $75 per family this year. “I anticipate we are going to need more help to make Christmas Come True happen for these needy families.”
“We truly do depend on the people of this community to make this happen,” said King.
Begin Again Home Goods is located at 2729 E. Moody Blvd. in Bunnell. You can learn more about Christmas Come True online at www.christmascometrue.org or by calling 386-302-1290. — Amy Armstrong
