Palm Coast, Fla. — The holidays are shining a little brighter in Flagler County thanks to a simple but powerful idea from Flagler Cares — neighbors helping neighbors keep their lights on.
After surpassing last year’s goal and brightening the season for 101 local families, Flagler Cares has launched its Second Annual “Keep the Holiday Lights On” campaign, once again inviting the community to come together to support families struggling to make ends meet.
The campaign aims to sponsor 100 homes at $100 each, covering one month’s electric bill for households who might otherwise face a utility shut-off during the holidays. Every dollar raised helps keep families safe, warm, and connected — turning on more than just lights, but hope.
“Each day, Flagler Cares staff hear firsthand about the challenges our neighbors face in making ends meet,” said Carrie Baird, Chief Executive Officer of Flagler Cares. “With this campaign, we want to make sure families and seniors don’t have to choose between paying their electric bill and celebrating the holidays. It’s a simple but powerful way for our community to extend a hand — neighbors helping neighbors with the most basic needs.”
Last year’s campaign began as a local experiment in compassion — and grew into something extraordinary. Donations poured in from across the county, quickly surpassing the $10,000 goal and ensuring more than one hundred families could enjoy the holidays without the fear of going dark.
Because of that generosity, 101 households in Flagler County had one less burden to carry. For many, it meant their children could see the tree twinkle on Christmas morning or that a senior living alone didn’t have to spend the holidays in the dark.
