A Season of Giving: How One Teacher Helped Bring Thanksgiving to 50 Lighthouse Families
As the holiday season begins, the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches is proud to shine a light on an act of generosity that touched the hearts of dozens of local families. This year, 50 Lighthouse families will enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal thanks to a project led by one person whose dedication continues to ripple outward—Teacher of Blind Babies, Nicole Isaacson.
What began as a simple wish to support families in need evolved into a community-wide effort that resulted in 100 Thanksgiving bags—50 full meal bags and 50 dessert bags—along with a $25 gift card for each family to purchase their turkey. Even more inspiring, this entire project was coordinated outside of Nicole’s working hours.
How a Community Came Together
Nicole’s effort wasn’t just an organized drive—it was a heartfelt movement powered by personal connections. When asked how she managed to bring so many people on board, she shared that this year’s support “came together through a mix of community connections and people simply wanting to make a difference.”
Her mother played a key role by rallying neighbors in the Cresswind community, especially the Cresswind Women’s Club. “Once they began collecting, word spread… and soon everyone wanted to take part—whether it was filling a complete Thanksgiving bag, donating food, or contributing a gift card.”
Many organizations and local businesses offered support as well. Friends, neighbors, and colleagues filled in every gap until every item needed for 100 bags was accounted for.
The Planning Behind the Project
This was the second year Nicole organized the Thanksgiving food bags, and planning began months in advance. Throughout the summer and early fall, she quietly shared the project with family, friends, and community groups. Interest grew quickly.
By October, things accelerated. The Cresswind Women’s Club hosted two packing nights—assembling 50 bags each night. Even an unexpected challenge didn’t slow the group down: “On our first packing night my mother’s air conditioning stopped working. It was warm, but the women stayed focused… Some even tried to fix the unit before getting right back to work.”
By the end of October, all 100 bags were neatly organized and ready for Lighthouse families.
What Each Family Received
Nicole wanted each family to receive everything needed for a full, comforting holiday meal. Every bag included:
- Fall-themed kitchen towel
- Autumn potholder
- $25 gift card for a turkey
- Handmade craft turkey attached to the gift card
Inside the food bags were the staples of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner:
- Corn, green beans, yams
- Stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce
- Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes
- Cornbread mix, marshmallows
The dessert bags included:
- Pumpkin pie filling
- Evaporated milk
- Ready-to-use pie shell
- Brownie mix
Families also received French fried onions and cream of mushroom soup to complete the classic green bean casserole.
Why This Matters
For Nicole, the project is about far more than food. She says she hopes people understand “just how special the families at the Lighthouse truly are.” Many face unique challenges, and a gesture like this ensures that the holidays feel a little brighter and a little easier.
She added something that captures the heart of the entire project:
“The joy on the faces of the women packing the bags was just as meaningful as the joy the families will feel when they receive them.”
This simple truth reminds us that kindness lifts everyone involved.
Looking Ahead
Nicole’s Thanksgiving project has quickly become a tradition, and the support grows stronger each year. She hopes to continue the effort in future seasons and possibly expand to other holidays as well.
As we welcome the holidays, we are grateful for Nicole and for every person who gave their time, donations, energy, and heart. Together, they ensured that 50 families in our Lighthouse community will gather around their tables with comfort, dignity, and joy.
And that is the true beginning of the season.
