- May 5, 2024
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A quarter here, a dime there, and before you know it, you have Christmas.
Nadine King, founder of Christmas Come True, has a new initiative that she hopes will spread to 100 businesses around Flagler County. It began last year, three days after the nonprofit had already delivered clothes, toys and gifts to 96 families and 295 children. On Dec. 22, a woman came into King’s office in Flagler Beach with a jar filled with silver coins. Having recently moved to the area, she told King she had been inspired by a 2005 novel by Jason Wright called “Christmas Jars,” and always collected her loose change throughout the year. She was now looking for a charity who could deliver it to someone in need.
“She had it all wrapped up and ready to go,” King recalled, “ and I gave it to one of the families here in Flagler Beach.” Then, King read the book herself. “And I just knew it was the perfect match for us to do.”
King bought 100 jars and has been recruiting businesses to keep them in the front of their stores to collect donations from customers or employees. So far, about 30 businesses are participating, including the Flagler County Chamber.
King is in a chamber leads group called Chamber Business Connectors, and her group has already contributed about $75 in three weeks into the jar, according to the chamber’s director of membership, Heather Thompson.
“We’ll do it all the way up until Christmas,” Thompson said.
King said the jars are given not only to a family in the community, but an anonymous family that lives in close proximity to the participating business itself. That way, the customers know they are helping a true neighbor. In addition, the jar serves as a symbol on the counter.
“I think it reminds them of how many families there are that need help in the area, but it also shows their community involvement, that they’re dedicated to making things better for the families that are still struggling,” King said.
To get a jar in your business, call King at 569-4429. Visit christmascometrue.org.
