The Christmas tree in Ashley Jernigan’s living room can be seen by all passerbys who walk down East Tomlin Street.
On Friday, Dec. 18, Christmas came early for Jernigan and her seven children: Reginald Billington, Kimora Cox, Willie Ragins and Kyrese, Dynastie, Azarjona and Kavion Davis. Just after 7 p.m., members of the Walden Oaks subdivision in the Walden Lake community knocked on Jernigan’s door. They had Christmas gifts for each child and a full Christmas dinner
In October, the Walden Oaks board decided to begin looking for a family to help during the holiday season. After reaching out to a number of local organizations, they were still left in search of the perfect family.
“We really didn’t get a lot of feedback,” Linda Reed, Walden Oaks vice president, said.
Luckily, Walden Oaks resident Angela Hall had the perfect family in mind for the organization — a family that she had grown to know and love personally.
Hall, who attends Eastside Baptist Church in Plant City, met Jernigan’s children as a volunteer for the church’s children’s department. Each Wednesday night, Jernigan’s children were in attendance at KidZone.
“They’re so sweet,” Hall said. “They just made a big impression.”
Without any prompting, Hall and the Walden Oaks board members decided that Jernigan and her family were the perfect fit for their surprise holiday celebration.
“She had her hands full,” Hall said. “I have one son, and it’s hard to provide for one.”
With the help of Hall and the rest of the Walden Oaks board, Jernigan won’t have to worry about shopping for seven this holiday season. Each Walden Oaks board member came bearing boxes of gifts — at least five gifts for each of Jernigan’s children, plus a stocking.
The children opened one gift each on Dec. 18, but saved the rest for Christmas morning. Each gift was individually wrapped, and every child was individually shopped for.
As Jernigan’s children excitedly began playing with their new toys — everything from Star Wars-themed trinkets to skateboards — Walden Oaks board members took in the merry scene around them. The children danced around and played with one another and the Walden Oaks residents, including Hall’s son, Zach.
Jernigan, who was able to witness her children playing happily under one roof, was also moved. The mother of seven had no idea what the Walden Oaks board had planned for her and her family until Hall approached her after church one day.
“When she came and told me … it was surprising,” Jernigan said. “I’m thankful.”
“We’re actually thrilled that it was bigger and better than what we hoped for,” Walden Oaks President David Miles said. “We’re just super excited the way it turned out. We’re trying to build community back in our neighborhood.”
As part of the larger Walden Lake Community Association, Miles and the rest of the Walden Oaks board hope that this gesture of kindness can start a trend among the other Walden Lake subdivisions. By next year, the board hopes that more, if not all, subdivisions will be doing similar acts of giving.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.