ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A holiday tradition brought joy to local seniors as DJ Dan Bookhart hosted the second annual Adopt-A-Grandparent event. News10NBC attended the party at Cirrus Manor Residential Center, where Bookhart played music, distributed gifts, and reminded seniors they are loved.
“At these nursing homes, there’s a lot of residents that don’t get no visits. They don’t get no phone calls, no letters. And that kind of touched me. So I wanted to give them something. I wanted to show them somebody cares,” Bookhart said.
Last year, Bookhart started the event by giving out about 200 gifts at just one nursing home – Cirrus Manor. This year, he expanded to three homes – adding Blossom Health Care Center and Hilton East Assisted Living to the roster – and distributed around 400 gifts.
“I think we got a little bit more people this year and they can’t wait for me to get back here. So it’s another success. I love it, I love it,” Bookhart said.
Leaders at Cirrus Manor expressed gratitude for his efforts.
“A lot of our residents don’t have family, and if they do, maybe they’re not nearby. So it’s nice that residents have people that look out for them that don’t even know them,” said Patricia Apple, an administrator at Cirrus.
Thomas Jones Sr., a Cirrus resident whose family is in New Jersey, appreciated spending the day with others.
“It means a lot to me. Especially to see the young kids. All naive and young and full of joy. Makes me happy,” Jones said.
“See all the smiles, their eyes light up. That’s what it means to me. Giving back to somebody, to people that lost theirs, you know?” Bookhart said.
Bookhart says he plans to continue the event for years to come.
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