Panhandle Pulse
“Real issues. Real people. No filters.”
Welcome to Panhandle Pulse — the podcast that gives North Florida a voice.
Hosted by Chuck Asbury, Panhandle Pulse dives into the real challenges and real conversations shaping our communities. From small business owners, farmers to veterans, healthcare workers, and defense professionals, we talk with the people who keep our region moving.
Every week, we bring you candid interviews, frontline stories, and unfiltered insight on the issues that matter most — including agriculture, national defense, healthcare access, deregulation, and the fight to keep rural America strong.
Panhandle Pulse
Ending Childhood Bed Poverty in the Panhandle: A Bed 4 Me Foundation w/ Diane Freeman
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In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with Diane Freeman, Executive Director of A Bed 4 Me Foundation—a nonprofit providing beds, bedding, and hope to children across Okaloosa and Walton County.
Many families in our region don’t realize the crisis happening right next door: children sleeping on floors, couches, or air mattresses. Diane explains how A Bed 4 Me identifies children in need, conducts home visits, customizes bedding based on each child’s personality, and delivers complete bed sets—often within 7–14 days.
Diane shares:
✔️ The surprising scale of bed poverty in Northwest Florida
✔️ Heartwarming stories from families starting over
✔️ Why custom bedding makes such a big impact on a child’s confidence
✔️ How growth, rising costs, and housing instability are increasing local need
✔️ Simple ways businesses and individuals can help today
A Bed 4 Me relies completely on local donations, volunteers, pillow drives, and community partnerships. Diane also highlights their current needs, including volunteers in Crestview & Walton County, business partners, and storage space to expand services.
If you're looking for a powerful, local way to make a difference, this episode shows exactly how you can help a child sleep safely, soundly, and with dignity.
👉 Volunteer or learn more: A Bed 4 Me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or visit their website
📧 Contact Diane: dianne@abed4me.org