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SALT LAKE CITY — It was less than two years ago that Charles Booth roamed the streets after losing his apartment and his health.
After spending months in a homeless shelter, he was eventually hospitalized when his health deteriorated. His application for Medicaid eventually went through and he now lives at the Wentworth at Draper Assisted Living, where he gets three meals a day at age 56.
On Monday, Booth joined senior citizens from five Salt Lake County Wentworth assisted living centers at Pioneer Park to bring water and cold treats to the homeless community in honor of national "Cheer Up the Lonely Day."
"It makes me feel like I'm giving back some of the stuff that was given to me," Booth said.
He sat in his wheelchair for more than an hour in the hot sun, handing out chocolate candy to homeless men he referred to as "brother."
"I'm recognizing an issue and trying to make it better," Booth said.
The service activity was planned in the wake of the country's recent negative national climate, according to Parker Breault, activities program director for the Wentworth at Willow Creek Assisted Living.
"It's time we brought positive back," she said.
Nearly 40 senior citizens from their late 60s to early 90s gave out water bottles, popsicles, chocolate kisses and notes of encouragement to the congregation of homeless people coming from all ends of the park.
"They're out there in the elements day in and day out. Let's give them a little break and show them somebody cares," said Breault. "We're there. We're their friends."
Stephen Duany and his sister, who moved from South Sudan about 20 years ago, publicly thanked the senior citizens who gave them treats and smiles at the park Monday.
"You're like my elders," Duany said through tears. "They're family."
Duany said all he really needs are smiles.
"The homeless people watch out for each other," Breault said, adding that Monday's activity was a "twofold" service, reaching "the best of both worlds."
"Obviously for the homeless, who don't have a lot of family around," she said, "and for our residents because they're away from their families a lot, and it helps cheer them up to do service for someone else."
Breault said she hopes the positive examples the seniors set catches on to others in the community. Service is not difficult, even for senior citizens with limitations, she said.
Monday's event was just one of many service opportunities she provides for her residents each year — activities that "empower" the senior citizens, give them "purpose and self-worth."
Dorothy Harris, an 80-year-old resident at the Wentworth at Draper Assisted Living, said after a lifetime of service in the LDS Church, it's hard being in a position where she physically is unable to give in all the ways that she used to.
Going out to the park, Harris said, helped her to fulfill her desire to serve.
"There's a lot of people that all you have to do is give them a pat on the back and a rub on the head and they think that's great," she said.
On Friday, the senior citizens plan to collect items for local homeless shelters and for the Utah Food Bank for "National Give Something Away Day."
Later this year, Breault said they will be feeding the homeless, hosting a carnival for a special-needs school and putting together school kits for underprivileged children. They even plan to work with the Midvale Police Department to help remove graffiti.
Breault wants senior citizens to know that even at their late stage in life, "they can still make a difference."
The senior citizens came from Wentworth assisted living centers in Sandy, Draper, East Millcreek, Cottonwood Heights and Salt Lake City .
"I know the hearts of my seniors. They just love to give back," Breault said.
