FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The holidays are when Flagler County’s community spirit shines the brightest as organizations dig deep to help families feel the love. Among those is Larry Jones and his team at the Christmas with Community Heroes organization. Small but mighty they have been providing a shopping experience for families in need, here in Flagler County, for nearly two decades.
On Friday, December 6 the organization teamed up with the Palm Coast Wal-Mart to provide 80+ children a night they will never forget.
Decked out in holiday attire and recognizable by the flashing elf hats, invited shoppers from across the spectrum headed out, with an empty buggy, an enthusiastic young shopper and $150 to spend. Kids of all ages squealed with delight at the sight of Santa, there to greet them as they headed in to shop.
“I’ve been doing this for quite a few years with Christmas with Community Heroes. Larry Jones is amazing and been doing this since 2008. It means so much to me to be able to help these kids have a Christmas that they might not have otherwise,” said Lacy Martin.
“Our committee of four is small but mighty with over 80 kids this year. We raised over $17,000 just on our own begging people to give these kids a Christmas and it’s so special. It means so much to me and I can’t express my gratitude toward everyone giving their time and effort to be here tonight.”
Community Heroes
Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo is used to granting wishes for teachers and students but there is something about the Christmas with Community Heroes event that melts her heart.
Shopping with her young charge, she teared up when talking about the experience.
“She’s absolutely adorable,” said Rizzo. “The softest little voice.”
“I drove from Tampa today, I was at a conference the last two days, exhausted and ready to go home, but this is worth it,” she said.
“It’s worth it to come here and do this. We raise a lot of money for kids in our school system but when we get to do it hands on directly with a kid, it’s incredible. It’s what Christmas is all about. Larry is incredible, Miss Lacy is incredible and I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Christmas Miracles
The opportunity to let her 6-year-old son shop came at the most needed time for mom Andriel Moore. As part of two dozen team members laid off after their company announced the move of their positions out of state, getting the call inviting her son to attend was a Christmas blessing.
“I’m excited, I’ve never had this happen,” said Moore. “It’s such a blessing to me because I actually just lost my job on the 15th. They’re relocating to Nevada or Montana, so it’s a blessing, it is. It came right on time. I’m going to cry. It means a lot.”
She said the surprise shopping trip for her son gave her something to look forward to this week before the big reveal Friday afternoon.
“It’s been a surprise all week. He heard the phone call and I was prolonging it all the way to the end,” she said with gratitude.
Community Partners
Wal-Mart Store Manager Janet Baldwin watched the registers to ensure every child had a smooth experience, sharing a warm smile with Wal-Mart Assistant Manager Coach Michael King.
“This is the best part of my season obviously,” she said. “It’s my favorite time of year getting to see all the kids with their happy, smiling faces. Getting to do this event for the community is the best. We want to be a community partner. That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to support in times of hardship and in times of joy. Getting to do this event is one of the joys.”
