February 2023 ~ Jacksonville Real Producers

Christie Morgan: Building Community Through Service

By Michelle Williamson

Christie Morgan, REALTOR® with Better Homes and Gardens Lifestyles Realty and committed Pine Castle Inc. advocate, is devoted to spreading the word about this nonprofit organization. Pine Castle works to "empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through opportunities to learn, work and connect."

In Christie’s words, “Pine Castle is a leader in serving individuals with IDD. They provide a day program for participants who still live at home or live independently, and they also have group homes. The organization helps individuals with IDD achieve their highest potential." Pine Castle was founded in 1952 by 33 Jacksonville families to provide needed local programs that provided support services to their children with IDD.

For the past four years, Christie has served as a Pine Castle board member, but her support began years earlier when she learned about the nonprofit through a friend. “I tell everyone about them,” she laughs, and her support is multi-dimensional. Not only is she a strong advocate for the organization, she also donates a portion of every transaction closed to help further its mission and goals. On top of Christie’s generosity, Better Homes and Gardens Lifestyles Realty matches a portion of her donations and the donations of the other Better Homes and Gardens agents.

When asked where her love for special needs developed, she says, “Every family is affected in some way, whether it’s a family member or a friend.” Christie has a cousin whose child is IDD. “I am always talking about Pine Castle, and I find a lot of people can relate. Several clients have had children with IDD, and almost everyone knows someone that IDD affects.” It takes a community of support to help individuals and families with an IDD member to come alongside them, to help them live whole, healthy lives, and Christie is doing just that.

“When you visit Pine Castle, you find the participants are some of the most genuinely happy and loving people you will ever meet. They’re happy with a hug … all the normal daily worries just disappear when I go there. I’m honored to be a member of their board,” Christie says. She is serving her second board term now. “But when that is over, I’ll continue helping them,” she affirms.

THEN AND NOW

Some of Christie’s desire to help others stems from her early years as a single mom with two young boys, working two jobs. “Being a single mom means you are everything to them,” she remembers. “It is hard. You have to be strong as a single parent because it pushes every one of your limits.” As a result, though, Christie has “a strong work ethic and a lot of gratitude” for where she is today.

Christie has been married to “an amazing man” for 21 years, and their blended family of four children and five grandchildren is very close. Still, Christie remembers her early years and understands the value of assistance and community for individuals and families facing extraordinary circumstances.

TIME TO RELAX

When Christie isn’t working, she loves to travel — she and her husband enjoy visiting their two children who live in other states. She also enjoys making soap. “Making soap makes me feel good,” she chuckles. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes people ask if they can buy some, but then it becomes a chore.”

Her favorite quote is: “The life in front of you is way more important than the life behind you.” The perfect reflection of her own journey and her commitment to helping individuals with IDD achieve their best lives.