They say “money can’t buy happiness.” But it’s hard trying to convince a fifty four year old multi-billionaire of that, especially when he has spent his whole adult life trying to convince himself otherwise. Now alone in his thirty thousand square foot Massachusetts mansion, Christian Nichols spends his time wandering aimlessly from room to room, finally staring down a bottle of sleeping pills and despair. But one phone call changes everything. His brother Paul, a minister down in Texas, knows his brother well enough to know something’s not right. His goal: to talk his sibling out of whatever he is thinking of doing. One innocent talk with his brother is enough to serve as a game changer in Christian’s life when he is reminded that as a child, the one thing that brought him happiness was Christmas. Specifically, the GIVING spirit behind Christmas. Before Christian’s life became consumed by work and money, he played “Santa” to kids less fortunate than he and his brother.
And in the new book by Simon and Schuster author Douglas MacKinnon, Christian Nichols decides to play Santa all over again. The North Pole Project becomes Christian’s new life mission as he uses his money and influence to build a real life “Santa’s Workshop” at the North Pole. Not only is his goal to bring joy to children around the world, but he provides stability for adults that have also been hit by life’s tough circumstances, by hiring them to be “Santa’s Elves.” And nothing says Christmas like a magical story about hope, faith, and charity.
So how does one come up with this creative idea? Well if you’re Douglas MacKinnon, you know all too well what it’s like to go without and be filled with anything but Christmas joy. Growing up in poverty and all too often, homelessness, MacKinnon and his family had been evicted from 34 homes by the time he was 17. But from an empty garden often blooms the most beautiful flowers and MacKinnon is no exception. He went on to become a writer for two Presidents in the White House, a Senior Official at the Pentagon, and an author of his own right, with over 600 articles published in every newspaper around the country. He has even written his own memoir, Rolling Pennies in the Dark.
And last winter, he added what would become The North Pole Project to his long list of credits. He recalls reading the newspaper while visiting relatives with every headline being worse than the one before.
“Truly good men, women, and children in seemingly inescapable pain thru no fault of their own. . . as one who grew up homeless as a child, their pain was one I knew well. I knew from my own experience that even a hint or glimpse of joy, hope, and faith was enough to ease a battered mind.” Doug MacKinnon (quote courtesy of Aaron Crisler, Conduit Media)
And during this trip, which featured a pounding snowstorm, MacKinnon’s mind raced to images of Santa’s workshop and the North Pole. He decided then and there to do his part to help restore faith and hope in a fallen world.
This inspirational story is sure to grow the hearts of even the worst Grinches this holiday season. So whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer, last minute gift, or just need to be reminded yourself of the true meaning of Christmas, The North Pole Project is the perfect read. You can find it where books are sold, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.