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The Nicholas Family Visits Casey’s in Disney’s Magic Kingdom
House of Raeford Farms FLOCK, a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development and mental health, has been sponsoring the Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Games in Wilmington, North Carolina, since 2018. This competition features the top high school senior boys’ and girls’ basketball players from North and South Carolina. For each annual event, a nonprofit benefactor is selected – in 2024, it was Access of Wilmington. In addition, FLOCK often recognizes and honors exceptional individuals who have a close relationship with the benefactor.
When the Nicholas family attended this year’s competition, they received the surprise of a lifetime. Between games, the family was called down to the court to be honored by FLOCK for their service to the community. As part of this tribute, FLOCK gifted the Nicholas family an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World.
Kate Nicholas shares their family’s story. . .
“Meet our family. Adam and I have served as foster parents in southeastern North Carolina for seven years. Over that time, we have provided a safe and loving home for seventeen young people and have adopted five of these children. Today, those children range in age from 7-10.
Adam and I made it our mission to take placement of children with special needs, which led us to working with Access of Wilmington, a non-profit organization that strives to eliminate barriers to health and wellness through sports and recreation for children and adults. Adam serves on the board of Access, and all five of our children play adaptive sports and attend accessible events through the organization. For these kids, who live with diagnoses such as Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and vision loss, they have found opportunities to thrive in the loving and accepting community of Access.
In November, the House of Raeford Farms corporate plane flew the seven members of our family to Orlando, Florida to begin a Disney adventure. With my parents joining mid-week, the children had a blast at all four Disney parks as well as the Disney-themed rental house provided by FLOCK. The children were Disney pros after day one, and we found the parks to be fully accessible to the needs of our group. While in Disney World, the children were able to let their guards down, leave their daily struggles behind, and just be kids.
Amid rides, character greetings, and themed shows, all the children exuded such incredible joy. Everything was new and exciting for them. One child, whom I will say has an extremely challenging time with all that he faces daily, announced every single day on the trip that it was the absolute best day of his life. I was moved to tears by how happy and carefree our son seemed for that week. Toward the end of our time in Disney, four of the five children were invited to participate in a Beauty and the Beast play, and they surprised everyone by taking the stage in Belle’s castle like they were born to do it!”
According to Kate and Adam, “words cannot express our gratitude for this amazing family vacation. Our children have not always walked an easy road, and for them to make lifelong memories in the most magical place on Earth was the best Christmas magic we could ask for.”
“Our story of the Nicholas family is both heartwarming and an illustration of FLOCK’s mission to support those who are making a positive impact in their communities,” said Dave Witter, Secretary of the FLOCK Board of Directors. “These five children have an opportunity to make a difference as well.”
The Nicholas Children Devour House of Raeford Mini Corn Dogs at Casey’s