Credit: Maxwell Reil/LevittownNow.com
On Saturday night at about 7p.m. at the corner of Swain and Otter streets in Bristol Borough, Morris Derry was fastening a fake white beard on his head, buttoning up his blue Santa suit, and getting ready to hop on the back of a pickup truck.
But before he got ready to roam the streets of Bristol, he needed a soundtrack.
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“Turn it on” he instructed his driver.
Suddenly, Run-D.M.C.’s “Christmas In Hollis” begins to blare on Swain Street. The infamous horns accompanying Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels’ lyrics.
“My name’s D.M.C. with the mic in my hand/And I’m chilling and coolin’ just like a snowman/So open your eyes, lend us an ear/We want to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”
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This is the seventh year that Morris Derry and his friends have brought out his alter ego “Homie Claus.”
The purpose is to travel through the streets of Bristol to interact with families. Some families donate toiletries, blankets, clothing, and other necessities which Derry collects to then hand out in backpacks to the homeless population in Philadelphia.
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Derry is the founder of No More Pain Inc. The organization assists others dealing with drug abuse, homelessness, and domestic violence.
On Saturday night, Derry walked and rode through over 20 streets in Bristol Borough over the span of a few hours.
On Sunday, Derry and his team went to Center City, Philadelphia and handed out 250 backpacks to those less fortunate.
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“It’s just another way to get out in the community and get involved and to let people know that during the holidays those who are homeless are not alone,” said Derry, of Bristol Township.
Derry came up with the idea from Damon Wayans’ character Homie D. Clown from Kennan Ivory Wayans’ sketch comedy show “In Living Color.”
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While Homie Claus has been traveling the streets of Bristol for seven years, it was five years ago when Derry teamed up with Schaeffer’s Outdoor Services in Penndel Borough. The company has been driving Derry around each holiday season.
David Schaefer, 27, of Penndel Borough, said it’s all about helping out the homeless.
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“There are a lot of homeless people in Philadelphia and around this area, and it’s the time of year where you’re supposed to give back – now is the time to do the most during the holiday season,” Schaeffer said.
Derry said that next year they plan on having a flatbed truck with an actual DJ on the truck. But even driving around in the Schaeffer company pickup truck this year, along with some extra-large speakers, it was more than enough to have kids come out of their homes to interact with Derry.
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Some families handed Derry bags of toiletries, other kids asked to take a photo with Homie Claus. Some even followed and ran down the street chasing the truck. The point being community engagement and radiating positivity during a holiday season that can be difficult for some people.
According to the Office of Homeless Services for the City of Philadelphia, about 5,700 are considered to be homeless in the city, which includes about 950 who are unsheltered.
Derry hopes he can help some of those people this holiday season.
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“It is important to think about it. Christmas and Thanksgiving we’re all with our families and we don’t realize there are people out there struggling and some families are struggling and it is educational for our kids – you never know why somebody ended up in the situation they are in,” Derry said.
He plans on continuing this tradition for many years to come.
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“As long as I’m around there will be Homie Clause,” he said.
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