Gift drive for elderly

FORT STOCKTON Everyone knows about the numerous toy drives to ensure underprivileged children have a normal Christmas holiday season, but Roger Bennett used to wonder why there weren't drives for those folks living in nursing homes.

That's why he started the Joy Run last year, he said.

"If bikers can have toy runs for kids, why can't we have something like that for older folks in the nursing home?" Bennett mused.

His project was under way in no time, and he said it didn't take much. He first contacted the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce with his mission, and they wanted to be involved immediately.

Arna McCorkle, executive vice president of the Fort Stockton Chamber, said she used to work in a nursing home and was willing to do anything she could to help. So the chamber served as a drop-off center.

On the evening of last year's Joy Run, Bennett and his motorcyclists were getting ready to take the toys to Fort Stockton Nursing Center. They were scheduled to parade down the main drag at 6:45 p.m. when Bennett said he heard something that sounded like a thunderstorm - it was an entourage of bikes, trucks and cars carrying even more goodies to take to the nursing home.

"It was more than a success - it blew me away," Bennett said.

Bennett led the storm dressed as Santa Claus.

He said all of the contributors were there handing out large print books, pajamas and more, talking to the residents and giving hugs.

"Some of (the nursing home residents) were laughing, some were crying, everybody was smiling," Bennett said.

Bennett started volunteering as the nursing home's Santa 11 years ago when the Santa Claus didn't show up to the center's Christmas party. His daughter worked there and called her father, Bennett, who said he didn't have time for that nonsense. His wife pulled a cheap Santa suit out of the attic and sent him on his way.

"I guess providence was the rule of the day," he said.

He said the residents loved him, shaking his hand and kissing him on the cheek. He was sold, bought a new suit and has been volunteering ever since. But he said he noticed something that saddened him - some residents didn't have people come visit and bring presents and they would sit and watch the more fortunate ones from the sidelines.

"There are people here who don't have anybody," Laura Lopez, Fort Stockton Nursing Center activity director, said.

That's when he finally started the Joy Run, which has now spread to McCamey. He said he hopes more cities in the area start the Joy Run.

"It was needed," Lopez said of the Joy Run.

She said most people don't even think about nursing homes, and hopes this inspires people to come out and do something all year long.

"These people are alive - they want to party, too," Lopez said.

She said the residents talked about that day all year and can't wait to see Santa and his motorcycle entourage again this year.

"I would like to see it spread. This isn't my deal - this is every communities' deal," Bennett said.

JOY RUN

>> Founder Roger Bennett said starting a Joy Run in your own city is easy. He said to contact your local Chamber of Commerce, pass out fliers, contact your local nursing home center and set up the drive.

>> Bennett encourages contributors to bring the gifts to the home in person, so they can see how it makes every resident light up.

>> Current Nursing Centers participating in the Joy Run are the McCamey center on Saturday, and the Fort Stockton center on Dec. 19.

>> Contact Bennett if you need suggestions on how to set up a Joy Run in your community 432-935-9081.