- April 28, 2024
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Christmas Come True just finished its 14th year providing gifts to Flagler County families. Founder Nadine King said her goal has always been to spread love during the holidays to families in need.
“That’s what we need to do as a community is show love,” she said. “I want the spirit of Christmas to always be close to people’s hearts.”
King started Christmas Come True in 2009 in her guest bedroom with just 50 families. This year, the nonprofit has supplied 460 Flagler County children with Christmas presents, King said.
It’s something that I promised God I would do.”
— NADINE KING, founder of Christmas Come True
She began Christmas Come True in Flagler County after the 2007-2009 recession began and she said she saw families being evicted from their homes, even around the holidays.
“It’s something that I promised God I would do,” she said. “This is just a blessing. This is God’s work.”
Flagler County families apply to be part of Christmas Come True online and then are interviewed by volunteers before being added to the nonprofit’s list. Those who make the list fill out a paper for each child in the home, listing their age, clothing sizes, favorite colors and what toys the child wants.
Each child receives a full outfit — socks, shoes, pants, shirts, a hat, underwear — alongside a stocking full of toiletries and the presents. It's around 15 gifts per child, King said. From there, volunteers group the families' presents together to be picked up ahead of Christmas.
King said more than half of the families on the list have medical conditions.
“You’ve got so many families who are desperate,” she said. “You just think, how do they do that? How do you wake up and know it’s not going to get better?”
But that’s why she does this, she said. To help parents and grandparents who struggle provide a happy Christmas for their children and grandchildren.
“I know that on [Christmas] morning, that all of us have done something to give them a joyous day,” King said.
I think that's what drew me in, was her passion. She is so devoted to these children and these families. This is her life. It really is.”
— LIZ MCKENNA, Christmas Come True volunteer
Christmas Come True volunteer Liz McKenna said it’s always about the children for King. Between Christmas Come True and King’s thrift store, Begin Again Home Goods, McKenna said, King has dedicated her life to helping Flagler County families throughout the year.
“I think that's what drew me in, was her passion. She is so devoted to these children and these families,” McKenna said. “This is her life. It really is.”
The stories of the families the nonprofit helps inspire all of the volunteers, McKenna said. And King’s endless energy helps build such a positive atmosphere, that it keeps the volunteers going throughout the long hours, she said.
“[King] thrives on it, she really does,” McKenna said. “If she didn't inspire all of us, we wouldn't be here.”
Karen Shoemaker said the nonprofit has grown over the 10 years she's volunteered there, both in the number of donations and the number of participating families.
King is like an Energizer bunny, Shoemaker said, working tirelessly to keep everything organized and running smoothly. Because the families are only from Flagler County, she said, the participants could really be anyone’s neighbors.
“Nadine just wants to spread joy and happiness to the community, to our neighbors,” Shoemaker said.
Shoemaker said Christmas Come True doesn't just help local families but spreads the true meaning of Christmas: love.
“You’ve got to love your neighbor and spread kindness,” she said.
McKenna said King is a woman motivated by a “strong, deep-rooted faith.”
“I think she sees what she's doing as a mission that God is asking her to do,” McKenna said. “…If there weren't people in the community like Nadine, who devotes her entire life to this organization, there would be a real gap in this community."
Every single bag says ‘I love you,’” King said. “You’re a stranger, but I love you.”
— NADINE KING, founder of Christmas Come True
King said she wished she could help every family in need and does her best to fill even the last minute requests. Often, she said, those are the people who suddenly find themselves displaced during the holiday — like a mother escaping a domestic violence situation or a family that experiences a sudden tragedy.
“It’s so near and dear to my heart to accept last-minute families,” she said.
Ultimately, King said, Christmas Come True is about showing love to one’s neighbors, one bundle of presents at a time.
“Every single bag says ‘I love you,’” King said. “You’re a stranger, but I love you.”
