GRANT BLANKENSHIP/THE TELEGRAPH TDalton Spearman, a sophomore at the Houston County Career Academy, delivers a Christmas gift Wednesday afternoon to 101-year-old Sarah Perkins in her room at the Christ Sanctified Church Home for the Aged in Warner Robins. Spearman and his engineering teacher, Jim Fouts, headed up a schoolwide effort to bring gifts to the residents of the home.

WARNER ROBINS -- Dalton Spearman never knew his grandparents, which is one reason why the high school sophomore likes to be around the elderly.

He was raised by his great-grandmother, Bonnie Spearman, who adopted him as her son.

When he started as a freshman at the Houston County Career Academy last year, he enlisted the help of faculty and students to brighten the Christmas of some elderly friends. Dalton Spearman is a regular visitor to Christ Sanctified Church Home for the Aged, a 50-bed nursing home near Perry, and wanted to make sure all of the residents had a Christmas gift.

On Wednesday, for the second straight year and clad in Santa hats, Spearman, his teacher Jimmie Fouts, and his mom/great-grandmother delivered 49 gift bags, along with some other gifts.

“It’s wonderful,” 105-year-old Allan King, one of Spearman’s good friends, said as he sat with presents in his lap. “There are too many of them.”

Fouts said about 30 faculty and students at the career academy were involved in raising money for the gifts and organizing the bags. Each bag contained a pillow, a puzzle book and various personal items.

“Everyone always brings presents for the kids, but why shouldn’t we give to those who made us able to give gifts to others?” Spearman said as he unloaded gifts from Fouts’ van. “These people paved the way for us. I think they deserve a little bit more than just a thank you.”

Barbara Stanley, activity director at the home, said the residents appreciate such gestures.

“It means they are cared about and loved,” she said.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.