JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This holiday season, some of Jacksonville’s everyday heroes are making sure struggling families know they’re not forgotten.
Through the “Holiday Joy” initiative, first responders are teaming up with News4JAX anchor Joy Purdy to personally visit 10 local families who could use a little extra help — and a lot of encouragement — right now.
These aren’t random homes on a map. Each family was chosen by Jacksonville police officers or firefighters who have seen their needs up close: a tough year, an unexpected loss, a medical crisis, or simply the weight of trying to make ends meet. The people who answer our calls for help every day are now stepping forward to help in a different way.
At every stop, first responders and Joy will hand-deliver a holiday food basket, carefully packed with:
- Fresh vegetables, handpicked from a retired police officer’s farm
- Fruit for the whole family
- A turkey
- A ham
It’s enough to help fill a holiday table — and hopefully, to bring a sense of relief to families who may have been wondering how they’d celebrate this year.
On top of the food, each family will also receive gift cards donated by two unions that support our first responders:
- The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Jacksonville Lodge 5-30
- The Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters (JAFF)
Those gift cards give parents the dignity and flexibility to decide what their families need most, whether that’s groceries, warm clothes, or a special gift under the tree.
How to watch and follow along
You can ride along on this journey of giving in real time.
- Live coverage: The Holiday Joy deliveries will be streaming live on News4JAX+, WJXT’s streaming platform, from 1–4 p.m. this Thursday.
- Evening updates: The story doesn’t end there. You’ll see updates throughout the News4JAX evening newscasts between 4–7 p.m., as we share moments from the visits and introduce you to each family.
Police officers and firefighters are often the first ones to step into a family’s hardest moments. They see what many of us don’t — the empty refrigerator, the single working parent doing everything alone, the grandparents raising grandchildren, the quiet struggle behind a front door.
That’s why they helped select the 10 families for “Holiday Joy.” It’s not about who is “most deserving.” It’s about recognizing families who are trying their best under difficult circumstances, and letting them know that their community sees them, cares about them, and wants to help shoulder the load.
During each visit, viewers will hear a little bit of each family’s story — just enough to understand why they were chosen, while still respecting their dignity and privacy. The goal is to pair the faces and names behind the need with the outpouring of generosity from our community.
You’ll see first responders in a different light — not racing to a crime scene or fire, but knocking on doors with smiles, food, and care. You’ll see Joy Purdy visiting with families, listening as they talk about perhaps their year, their kids, and what this unexpected help means to them.
The Holiday Joy initiative is about connection — between first responders and the people they serve. And by showing that unfiltered support Live, News4JAX is inviting you to be part of the experience, as we remember that sometimes the greatest gift we can give is to simply show up for one another.