By Christopher Manson
Good news! There are plenty of opportunities to be a Hometown Hero this holiday season by donating, volunteering or simply spreading the good word about our local nonprofits making a huge impact in our community. Here are just a few ways you can make the holidays a lot brighter for those in need:
Since the 1970s, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Santa Patrol has spread holiday joy to local children whose families face hard times. The program, in collaboration with school resource deputies, provides hand-selected gifts that are delivered in person by WCSO staffers. The community is encouraged to donate new, unwrapped children’s gifts (up to age 17) or make a monetary donation. Every dollar helps us bring warmth and happiness to a family. Let’s make sure every child is remembered this Christmas. Make your checks payable to Walton County Sheriff’s Office (with “Santa Patrol” in the memo line) or donate safely online via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/donate/…. and select “Santa Patrol” in the drop down.
Donations can be dropped off at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at 10 Sheriff Circle in DeFuniak Springs, the South Walton Substation at 133 Sheriff Drive in Santa Rosa Beach. Any Walton County Fire Rescue, Florida Station also happily accepts donations!
Also, this year, WCSO is teaming up with Grand Boulevard at Sandestin! You can find drop-off locations at the following stores: Stallworth, AMC, Kilwin’s, Beaufort Bonnet and Sunset Shoes.
Email any and all questions to SantaPatrol@waltonso.org.
At press time, 59 families with 161 children have reached out to the Freeport Christmas Angels program for help. The kids range in age from three months to 17 years, and the Freeport Christmas Angels’ goal is to provide each child with $125 in gifts along with an additional $20 for books and snacks.
Current help is still needed. So far, the organization is about halfway to its $25,000 fundraising goal. Monetary donations, unwrapped presents and sponsors are welcomed. Donations can be made at paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4488075.
The Freeport Christmas Angels holds its Christmas store Saturday, Dec. 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Heritage Church. If you’d like to volunteer, stop in Thursday evening and/or Friday, or call Lisbeth at 850.685.8418.
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) is once again spreading Christmas cheer through its annual Toy, Gift and Adopt-a-Family Program — a heartwarming tradition that ensures local children experience the joy of the season.
Each year, ECCAC’s “Wish List” program connects generous individuals, businesses and organizations with children and families in need across Okaloosa and Walton counties. Donors can adopt a child or family, donate new toys and gifts, or give monetary contributions to help stock ECCAC’s Toy Room. The Toy Room becomes a magical “shop” where parents can select gifts for their children — all at no cost. Donations also support ECCAC’s partner agencies who serve area families year-round. “Every gift is a message of hope.” How to Help: Bring new, unwrapped toys or gift cards to ECCAC’s Niceville Center (401 McEwen Dr.) or DeFuniak Springs Center (336 College Ave.). Monetary donations can be made online at ECCAC.org.
The Food for Thought (fftfl.org) 2025 Christmas Food Drive is Dec. 2-18. Suggested donatables include instant potatoes, stuffing, cornbread mix, canned vegetables, rice, dried beans, macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, cereal, pancake mix, juice, and boxed milk. The nonprofit discourages glass containers and does not want expired, open, or leftover foods. “Easy open pop-top cans” are preferred. Individuals and local businesses are encouraged to drop off food items for holiday meals at Food for Thought’s Destin (908 Airport Road) or Santa Rosa Beach (132 Market Street) pantries. Email support@fftfl.org to learn more.
Café Thirty-A in Santa Rosa Beach hosts its yearly Christmas Charity Ball Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $150 in advance ($175 at the door), with proceeds benefiting Caring & Sharing of South Walton. Enjoy festive holiday décor, complimentary valet, champagne toast and cash bar, DJ, photo booth, and a large silent auction. If you’re still not convinced, the celebrated Café Thirty-A culinary team will be trotting out delicious hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet starring some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, and a dessert spread.
Last year, the charity ball raised a record-breaking $81,000 from ticket sales, donations, auction, and raffle tickets. Caring & Sharing provides food and financial help to local families and individuals in need. Learn more at caringandsharingsowal.org, and email jessica@proffittpr.com for sponsorship opportunities.
The Twin Cities participate in a Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday, Dec. 13, at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home-Cemetery in Niceville at 11 a.m. You can help honor fallen heroes by sponsoring a remembrance wreath, volunteering or inviting family and friends to attend. Wreaths will also be placed at Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso beginning at 9 a.m. To learn more, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org
On Sunday, Dec. 14, Alaqua Animal Refuge hosts its fourth annual Blue Mountain Fra-Gee-Lay (inspired by Bob Clark’s beloved movie “A Christmas Story”) 2K starting around 9:30 a.m. The “tacky sweater Christmas race for those who don’t race” includes awards for costumes plus sugar cookies and mimosa refills at the turnaround.
Walk, crawl, sprint, eat, drink, and be merry, and stick around for the awards ceremony at “10:30-ish.” All proceeds benefit Alaqua (alaqua.org). The event takes place at Blue Mountain Bakery, located at 2217 West County Highway 30A. Entry fee is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Preregister at bluemountainbakery.com. Registration includes choice of mimosa or cinnamon roll.
Make sure a child has a bed to sleep in this Christmas! Donations large and small can be made to A Bed 4 Me Foundation – a nonprofit providing beds for children who would otherwise be sleeping on floors or in other inadequate spaces – can help put a child into a new bed. Make your one-time or monthly donation at abed4me.org/donate.
CALM (Crisis Aid for Littles and Moms) depends on Emerald Coast communities to maintain a safe place for mothers and children in crisis situations. Donations provide shelter, provisions and guidance for women seeking a better way of life for themselves and their kids. Donations (please make checks payable to CALM Organization Inc.) can be mailed to CALM Organization Inc., 201 Redwood Ave., Niceville, FL 32578. Visit nicevillecalm.com for more information.
This is just a small sample of the worthy charities in the FREEPORT LIFE readership area. We encourage you to search online for additional opportunities to help others this holiday season! They need you and you’ll be glad you did!
