Motorcycle club donates toys to patients at Lubbock hospital

As she handed toys to young hospital patients in Lubbock, April “June” Sparks could tell it made them happy.

“It was heartbreaking, but it was amazing,” said Sparks, a member of the Dirty Gringos Motorcycle Club. “We got to come in and go in every room and meet every kid and personally give them toys and bandanas and Dirty Gringos stuff. You walk in and you can kind of see that they’re not feeling good, but immediately when you give them something, they perk up and they feel better.”

Sparks was among several bikers that visited University Medical Center Saturday afternoon to drop off several toys during the motorcycle club’s third annual Chrome & Crayons Toy Run.

“They’re sick and they don’t feel good but they get that toy or that game or they get to meet us and they just instantly get happier and it’s a blessing,” Sparks said. “That’s what we’re all about; we’re all about trying to spread the love and give to those who need it and kids are a big thing on our heart in the Dirty Gringos.”

Ten-year-old Isaac Guerrero, who has been at UMC since Wednesday, wasn’t too talkative Saturday as he sat in his wheelchair outside the hospital lobby. Still, as the bikers approached him, he said he was “very excited” and appreciative for the toys he received.

He initially came to the hospital June 18 after his appendix ruptured, but is visiting again after experiencing an infection, said his mom Fannie Guerrero, of Lubbock.
She said her son still has a fever and hasn’t been able to eat a full meal, but they hope he’ll make a full recovery by Monday.

“It’s hard to see your kid going through that because you want to take that pain away but there’s nothing you can do,” she said.

Even though her son is hospitalized, she said he had fun playing with the football and other toys the bikers gave him.

“It’s really nice of them to come out and do that on their own time. We really appreciate it,” she said. “It actually brought some joy to him because he was able to play with his brother for a little bit last night.”

UMC spokesman Eric Finley said the hospital is also thankful for the Dirty Gringos’ donation, especially during summer.

“A hospital is never fun, especially if you’re a kid, especially if it’s summertime,” Finley said. “This gives us the resources to make sure we’re able to provide those toys as a type of distraction for these kids ... for the rest of year until those toy drives start picking up around the holidays like they always do.”

Sparks said she’s happy to provide the children a distraction for the afternoon and hopes the toys make the rest of their hospital stay more enjoyable.

“It’s a dark time and it’s sad being in the hospital, but when you get to see that smile and that light on their face for that brief period, it’s worth it,” she said.

Source: http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2015-07-25/motorcycle-club-donates-toys-patients-lubbock-hospital#.Vdn9jSWqqko