- November 23, 2024
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Constance Jones is making sure children with special needs are not forgotten this Christmas.
Known affectionately as Mama C to her friends, Jones held a Reindeer Dash-themed poker run on Saturday, Dec. 2 for her organization Children R Our Future. The poker run was made up of eight stops across the beachside. The event started around 10 a.m. at Hanky Panky's Lounge in Ormond-By-The-Sea and from there, participants visited locations in Flagler Beach and Daytona Beach.
At each stop, there was a Christmas tree and a toy drop-off box for the over 100 special needs children sponsored this Christmas by Children R Our Future, Elaine Holts Horses and other organizations that partnered with Jones. Each tree featured a number of the sponsored children and what they wanted for Christmas. Jones personally spoke to each family to see what they were in need of this holiday season.
To cultivate some holiday spirit, the first nine bikers to register for the poker run in the morning were named after Santa's reindeers. Also, Jones and her friend Rich Smith dressed as Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus.
“My riders today, they’re going to help me fulfill their dreams, their wishes, and what they need," Jones said.
The groups of special needs kids also included children with afflicted Sanfilippo syndrome, as Jones is very close to a family affected by it.
Jones recently retired with the Florida Department of Children and Families, and that inspired her to start Children R Our Future and to hold events like this one.
“With what I’ve seen working with the department for 17 years with abused kids and very, very sick children, it’s like, I need to take my legacy out when I retire and keep the community going with helping these children that are sick," Jones said.
