James Freudenberg News Today

Fort Walton Beach firefighters annual Christmas toy drive has multitude of ways to donate toys for those in need this year.

FORT WALTON BEACH — They may not have had reindeer or a flying sleigh, but city firefighters still got the job done, bringing Christmas gifts and cheer to about 50 children in the community on Christmas morning. Earlier this month the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department held a series of drive-thru toy drives at its main fire station on Hollywood Boulevard. “The toy drive was way more successful than we ever would have imagined,” said James Freudenberg, who organized the event. “It was r...

FORT WALTON BEACH —  For someone with no children of his own, Fort Walton Beach firefighter James Freudenberg certainly has a lot of young names on his Christmas shopping list this year. The 36-year-old Freudenberg is among the department’s more than 80 firefighters and other personnel who are playing Santa’s helpers this Christmas to 40 local children from 14 families.  Freudenberg is heading up the project, which includes the “Santa’s Firehouse Toy Drive Cruz Thru” on Saturda...