Freed’s Bakery raises money for a longtime employee with an autoimmune disorder

For more than 30 years, Danny O'Briant worked at Freed's Bakery, pouring his heart and soul into every product he baked.

When O'Briant was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, the owners and staff of Freed's Bakery decided to show him the same dedication by hosting a fundraiser to help with his medical costs. The fundraiser took place Sept. 15-16 at Freed's Bakery, 9815 S. Eastern Ave.

"It was awesome to see the community come together to support someone they don't know," said Max Jacobson-Fried, owner and operator of the bakery.

A Drive for Danny sold about 3,000 cupcakes for $1 each. Even though there was a sweet reward for the contributions, the bakery saw an outpouring of people who donated, Jacobson-Fried said.

"We are thankful to the community," he added.

Jacobson-Fried said the drive raised about $3,500, which is expected to go toward O'Briant's rehabilitation.

In July, O'Briant had a bad fall and was taken to the hospital. Doctors diagnosed him with an autoimmune disorder.

"It affects the nerves," said Adina Jay, O'Briant's daughter. "He can't walk or hold on to things."

Rehabilitation can be costly, so every bit that has been raised has helped, Jay said.

"The therapy will help him get strength back to his hands and legs," she said.

Freed's Bakery has been open since 1959, specializing in cakes and other baked goods. Jay said O'Briant has been an employee since 1977.

"My grandfather taught him to bake," Jay said. "All his recipes were in German, but he translated them in a book for him."

O'Briant started out as a cleaner but worked his way up the ranks.

"Within two years, he became the head baker," Jay said.

Jacobson-Fried said O'Briant knew the products inside and out.

"Whether the recipe called for you to mix it for five minutes at a three speed or three minutes at a five speed, it was mixed precisely at five minutes at a three speed or three minutes at a five speed and not a second over," Jacobson-Fried said.

Jay added people told her how fun her dad was to work with.

"He made it easy to work under him," Jay said. "You knew you were going to have a good time."

Jacobson-Fried has worked with O'Briant since early 2000.

"He was a quirky guy," he added.

Jay said O'Briant retired a few years ago, but he returned to work part time.

After O'Briant was hospitalized, it didn't take the bakery long to realize it needed to rally behind him.

"We realized how costly rehabilitation would be," Jacobson-Fried said.

When she learned about the fundraiser, Jay said she thought it was amazing that the community pulled together to help.

"When I told my dad, he teared up," O'Briant said.

The company purchased extra ingredients - most of which were donated - and began the long haul of making more than 3,000 extra chocolate, red velvet and vanilla cupcakes for the event.

Jacobson-Fried then posted the event on the bakery's Facebook page, inviting its more than 18,000 fans to come out.

"It was cool to see them come out for one person, not just an organization," Jacobson-Fried said. "We have done similar events like this in the past, but it was cool to see a complete stranger help someone they have never met. People went above and beyond."

Many people who saw the plea on Facebook brought in extra donations that they raised on the side.

"I had one guy come in who had collected $191," Jacobson-Fried said.

Jay thinks the money will go a long way in the rehabilitation process, helping her father with speech, physical and occupational therapies.

Jacobson-Fried said the bakery is looking to do another fundraiser for O'Briant in the future.

For more information, visit freedsbakery.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.