Christmas comes early to South Jordan assisted living facility

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — It seemed like a normal day.

Some of the people who live at Carrington Court Assisted Living in South Jordan got back from a trip out Friday, and once they got off the bus and inside, lunch was waiting.

“We are treated so well,” Bernadine Bingham said. “But I’m not really hungry.”

It’s possible Bingham couldn’t eat because she was so excited about what she saw.

“We got off the bus and it was all full of people and presents,” she said with an excited giggle.

It’s a good thing Bingham was wearing her red Christmas sweater with white snowflakes.

“Do I look all right?” she asked her friends sitting at the table with her.

She wanted to look her best because a whole bunch of elves were making an early Christmas delivery.

“Look at what they’re bringing us,” she said. “They have brought presents for everyone.”

Christmas came a little early at this South Jordan assisted living facility. One resident said, "Sometimes the elderly are forgotten when you no longer have family." Thanks to the UTV Utah group, no one was forgotten at seven facilities today. We'll have this story @KSL5TV at 10. pic.twitter.com/9kkNW1xSwk

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) December 24, 2022

One by one, gift baskets full of treats, books, and word puzzles were given to residents. They couldn’t believe it.

“Thank you!” Bingham said. “Looks like there’s a Rubik’s Cube in here. Do you know how to use a Rubik’s Cube?”

All these gifts were thanks to Josh Bruening and his friends with UTV Utah.

“This is my favorite thing I do every year,” said Bruening, who is the vice president of the group.

UTV Utah is a group that pushes for open trails for off-road vehicles across the state.

During all their advocating, they also collect donations, where money raised is used to buy gift baskets for seniors.

In all, UTV Utah visited seven different assisted care facilities in Utah on Friday, bringing gift baskets to about 300 people.

They are in West Point, Layton, Morgan, Orem, two in Springville, and Carrington Court in South Jordan.

“I don’t know how else to explain it. It puts you on cloud nine. It puts you in the Christmas spirit,” Bruening said.

The group also sang Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas to the facility residents.

The smiles on the faces of residents were proof they appreciated the gifts.

“Especially when you’re not in your own home and your own family. It makes you feel good,” Calvin Anderson said.

“Sometimes, the elderly are forgotten,” Bingham said. “Some of us have our families, but some of us don’t have our families.”

On this day, though, no one was forgotten.