Todd Ulmer spent the hours leading up to Christmas leading an army of goodwill.

After all, Todd's not just providing Christmas for his family, but dozens of Orange County middle school children.

  • Each year, Todd Ulmer, wife, volunteers wrap, donate gifts for kids
  • They grant kids' wishes, as long as they're artistic or active
  • Ulmer's dad instilled in him lifelong love of Christmas
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"We try to make it about the kids," Todd said.

The spirit of Christmas is rooted deep in Todd. His father's influence and small-town North Dakota upbringing are alive in Florida.

"Every year, he would look for a needy family, and in a small town like that, you knew who the family were. And it always stuck with me," Todd said.

Yet, it's just not Christmas Day where Todd celebrates the holidays. Todd loves Christmas so much, he and a business partner opened Frosty's Christmastime Lounge, a year-round gathering spot in downtown Orlando, themed to the holiday.

Fund-raisers at the bar allow Todd and a group of volunteers to deliver not only gifts, but also decorations, artificial Christmas trees and dinner.

While dinner accompanies the gifts, the light of Todd's life accompanies his spirit.

"She's been living this for two weeks now," Todd said of his wife, Kristi.

Kristi makes sure each child's wish is granted — as long as it's geared to the arts, music or staying active.

"Any time we see a bike, they are getting a bike," Kristi said — which comes with a helmet and a lock to keep the rider and their bike safe.

Yet for sharing the love of Christmas with his father, the holiday also is one of Todd's darkest days. The man who instilled the gift of Christmas in Todd — his father, Richard — died on Christmas morning from a heart attack 19 years ago.

"His mom will never be the same. And she has not recovered," Kristi said. "We were at home. We had just finished opening our gifts, and we got the phone call. I could just see him breaking down."

Today, the Richard Ulmer Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that Todd started in his father's name to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for those in need.

"I've had some kids, some families say, 'Where is this from?' And we're like, 'We're just working with the school,'" Kristi said.

"I want them to have the Christmas I grew up with," Todd said.