ORLANDO, Fla. — Nancy Miklos is one of 350+ volunteers giving hope to thousands of children with special needs this Christmas through gifts from Nathaniel’s Toy Shop.

Nathaniel’s Hope is a nonprofit that started over 20 years ago to honor a little boy whose purpose is being pushed forward through volunteers like Miklos.

During the Christmas season, there is no other place Miklos would rather be than sorting through the Christmas lists of children and checking them twice.

She said not to worry, there are no naughty kids on these lists, only nice ones.

“They each have told me their interest in toys. So I’m going to go through the toy shop and find some great things to put in their bags for Christmas,” she said. 

The children are special VIPs with Nathaniels Hope.

Miklos said she knows the mission all too well, having a child with special needs herself.

“When you see what these families need, having a child or an adult with special needs is emotionally, physically and really financially hard. I am a mom of a VIP and I understand that, and I just want to give back,” she expressed. 

Many organizations and community members help donate thousands of toys to fill Nathaniel’s Toy Shop. The yearly project gives families a special experience, helping to lighten the load of the holiday shopping rush.

“When a family has a child with special needs and has this place to come to and feel accepted, it is so important,” Miklos said. 

The mission of Nathaniels Hope started over 20 years ago, fueled by a little boy with big promise, Nathaniel Kuck.

“He was born with multiple disabilities. He could never walk or talk or eat with his mouth, but he taught us so much in that short time he was with us,” Marie Kuck said. 

Marie Kuck is Nathaniel’s mom and co-founder of the nonprofit that bears his name. She says through his life, so many other families have been impacted for the better. Nathaniel died at just four-years-old, but through his toy shop, his purpose lives on.

“This is all because of him and what he taught us and it does keep his legacy alive,” Kuck said. 

Miklos will continue to volunteer to help make the lives of other families with special needs children a little brighter.

“This is what Christmas is about. This is 100% what Christmas is about. All of these toys have come from somebody else to give to one of these children,” Miklos said. 

For more information, visit Nathaniel’s Hope.

If you know of an Everyday Hero, you can nominate them here.