War of the Words raises $1,400 for Christmas Come True

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

It was almost unfair. After a night of stories and poetry on May 10, at the first War of the Words event at Hollingsworth Gallery, it came down to the final round between Jimmy Day and Becky Meyer Pourchot. And Day pulled out all the stops, using his reading time to praise Christmas Come True founder Nadine King, and saying that she was one of the “good people” who really made a difference in the community.

And Day, who told stories off the cuff the whole night and claimed to have come completely unprepared, was the crowd favorite. He took home the prize: the Golden Quill.

Thanks to event organizers Pourchot and Tim Baker, the tournament-style open mic event was a great success.

The event raised $1,400 for Christmas Come True, according to King. The funds will be used to will help families in need in Flagler County. In addition, King set aside $180 for two scholarships for children to take summer art classes at Hollingsworth, as a way to thank Curator J.J. Graham for hosting the event.

“I was very happy,” King said of the money raised. “I think that’s incredible for the first time, having an event like that.”

Baker also raised about $100 for Christmas Come True by getting his hair cut. He has grown out a ponytail for years and said if people would donate to the cause, he would chop it off. Rebecca Howell-Boykin, owner of Atmosphere Salon, did the honors. It was the first time since Oct. 7, 2007, or 2,407 days, that Baker’s hair had been cut.