DAPHNE, Ala.—Thirty-six New York firefighters — including those active and retired — crowded the lobby of a local hotel on a cold Thursday morning, but their purpose, they agreed, was enough to warm at least their hearts. The firefighters volunteered their time to bring toys and food to those in need.

They delivered eight truck-loads of food and toys to Bayou La Batre; Biloxi, Miss.; Jackson County, Miss.; and Hancock County, Miss., on Thursday and will continue to New Orleans before they fly back to New York.

“We held fundraisers to help compensate because donations were slightly down this year,” Tom O’Connor, FDNY coordinator, said. “We don’t worry about it because somehow it works out.”

Many donations were from Bethesda Outreach Ministries in Pennsylvania, he said.

“They filled five of the eight trucks,” he said.

The six-year effort is a direct result of the Gulf Coast’s outpour after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, O’Connor said.

Firefighters wanted to aid Hurricane Katrina survivors after the storm destroyed southern coastal areas in 2005, and they continue to bring toys and food to needy areas.

John Miller, a retired FDNY firefighter of 29 years, said New York was eager to show its appreciation.

See the rest of this story in the Dec. 10 edition of The Bulletin.