Some people leave a mark on you before you even realize it. For me, that person is Mrs. Doris Nixon.
She was my preschool teacher at Kingdom Kids Child Development Center and Full Gospel Christian Academy. Mrs. Nixon was one of the first people outside of my family to believe in me, encourage me, and make me feel seen. But Mrs. Nixon was never just my preschool teacher. She has been a constant source of support, encouragement, and love through every chapter of my life, from those early classroom days all the way through the completion of my graduate degree. That kind of dedication to a student is rare. That kind of person is rare.
Recently, Mrs. Nixon suffered an unimaginable loss. A fire destroyed her home in northeast Columbia, SC, and with it, so much of what she had built over a lifetime. She lost belongings, keepsakes, and the security that most of us take for granted. She is safe, but she is starting over from almost nothing. In 2022, Mrs. Nixon suffered another loss. Her husband, John Nixon, a Richland School District Two retiree who worked in the Transportation Department, passed away.
I started this fundraiser because I could not stand by and do nothing for someone who never once stood by when I needed her. Whatever you are able to give, $5, $25, $100, goes directly to her. Every dollar will help cover immediate needs like temporary housing, clothing, food, and replacing essential documents. As she rebuilds, additional funds will go toward getting her back on stable ground.
If you ever had a teacher who made a difference in your life, you know how much they matter. This is a chance to show one of them that her community shows up for her the way she always showed up for others.
Please share this page even if you can't give. The more people who see it, the more we can do together.
Thank you for your kindness! The world needs more of it!
-Malcolm Wilson