Just days before Christmas, a Freehold Borough family watched their McLean Street home go up in flames. The Freehold Borough Police Department has sprung to action to help the residents and will be collecting donations at the station.

“It’s the season of giving so we’re hoping people will be generous and kind,” Chief Glenn Roberts said. “They have absolutely nothing three days before Christmas. They could use any of the essentials for living.”

Officer James Richmond is coordinating the effort and items, monetary donations or gift cards can be dropped off at the station, Roberts said. Clothing and gift cards to stores like Target, Babies 'R Us or Shop Rite would be especially useful.

The Freehold Borough PBA donated $500 and the Graeme Preston Foundation made a $2,500 contribution, he noted. Officer Shaun Hobbs approached the Marine Corps League – Corporal Philip A. Reynolds detachment, which collects children’s toys around the holiday season, and the group donated gifts for the family’s 5-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl, Roberts said.

“They’re a very nice family and they have a long road ahead of them,” Roberts said. “We want to do what we can to help people in our community.