Team Hoyt is not the simple math of Dick and Rick plus a few charity runners.
It's so much more than that.
It's bringing disability awareness to life.
It's giving hope and spirit to those who need it most.
It's about Rick Hoyt participating in thousands of races.
It's about Ryan Shuck being the Mayor of Soho.
So when Kathy, Team Hoyt's office manager, sent us this incredible article,
I knew I had to share.
Meet Lucy, who will become the newest member of Team Hoyt.
At the age of 64, our friend knows nothing of her biological family.
She has developmental delays. She cannot speak.
But boy does she have heart.
She spent her first 30 years in an institution,
but now lives in Rehabilitative Resources, Inc.,
which is one source of where a generous amount of Hoyt Foundation dollars go to.
She could be mad.
She could be spiteful.
But instead she is kind. She is hopeful.
She dedicates her time to others,
especially sick children.
And her dream?
To run with Team Hoyt.
We're making her dreams come true.
This is Lucy.
This my team.
This is why I run.
Birthday gift to self: Pay it forward
SHARING IN SOUTHBRIDGE
By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
SOUTHBRIDGE — No more than 4 feet tall, Lucille "Lucy" Lambert, through small gestures of kindness, celebrated her 64th birthday doing for others in what has become her hometown.
Inside the house where she lives with her roommates are bright paintings adorned with positive sayings.
And while some might pass them by without a second thought, the four roommates who have lived here together for almost a decade take the words seriously; their mottos seemingly "pay it forward" and "everyone can do something."
Lucy has developmental delays, she doesn't speak but uses some sign language. Her walk is awkward and her diet limited by the cleft pallet she was born with. She is tiny, shopping in the children's department for clothing to fit her very petite frame. She spent most of the first 30 years of her life at Wrentham State Hospital, but she can't share any memories, good or bad, of her early days. She knows nothing of her biological family.
When she turned 64 on Wednesday, she could have marked her birthday by going out with friends or relaxing at home, but true to the spirit of her "family," she got up and went out to do something for others.
Rehabilitative Resources Inc. Assistant Program Manager Victoria Amaral accompanied Lucy on what turned into a busy day of giving. They stopped at the bank, where Lucy withdrew money from her savings account, and then they shopped for coloring books, which they took to Harrington Hospital in Southbridge so sick children might have something to occupy their time.
Even though hospitals, especially the ones made of brick, frighten Lucy, she managed to gather her strength and go inside to present the gifts, Ms. Amaral said.
Lucy not only loves children, she also loves animals, so during a stop at Second Chance Animal Shelter in East Brookfield she dropped off towels that are used for the cats and dogs.
Program Manager Malerie Germain said Lucy is well known in Southbridge, where she frequents Dunkin' Donuts — dipping Munchkins in her beloved coffee.
She stops in at a local deli where the soups are something she can easily eat. She attends services at Central Baptist Church and bakes for church functions.
In honor of her birthday, Lucy also penned thank-you notes to the people who provide her with services such as bringing her mail and taking away the trash. She also sent a card to a church member who is sick.
And there were plates of cookies for the police officer and firefighters along with coffee for her friends at Santander Bank.
While the firefighters were out on a call, Lucy left the cookies, which they found and appreciated, a dispatcher said.
"They were very good and they were really enjoyed," she said.
Lucy shares the home, run by Rehabilitative Resources Inc., with two other women and one man.
They take part in local activities, visit Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary and have art classes on Tuesday nights. Lucy especially enjoys entertaining and during the warmer months can usually be found sunning herself on the porch. She attends a day program during the week.
She uses a Kindle set up with programs to help her cognitive abilities and rides an adapted tricycle to keep her knees in shape.
Someday she hopes to get a tricycle she can use outside.
Recently, Lucy took part in some road races and is hoping to join Team Hoyt where she could be paired with a runner who would push her in a specialized wheelchair and they'd work as a team.
One of her roommates bakes dog treats for the shelter, and they are working on a plan to help local veterans.
While the four have always done good deeds, they ramped up their efforts after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, when folks were being asked to "pay it forward," in memory of those slain.
After some brainstorming about ways Lucy could help others on her birthday, she and the staff decided on her day of giving. She didn't completely forgo a party, though.
She celebrated with neighbors, some of the home's seven staff members and friends Tuesday night, Ms. Germain said.
The reaction of those on the receiving end of Lucy's generosity were surprised and appreciative, Ms. Amaral said.
"A little act of kindness goes a long way," Ms. Germain said.
Contact Kim Ring at kring@telegram.com. Follow her o
Inside the house where she lives with her roommates are bright paintings adorned with positive sayings.
And while some might pass them by without a second thought, the four roommates who have lived here together for almost a decade take the words seriously; their mottos seemingly "pay it forward" and "everyone can do something."
Lucy has developmental delays, she doesn't speak but uses some sign language. Her walk is awkward and her diet limited by the cleft pallet she was born with. She is tiny, shopping in the children's department for clothing to fit her very petite frame. She spent most of the first 30 years of her life at Wrentham State Hospital, but she can't share any memories, good or bad, of her early days. She knows nothing of her biological family.
When she turned 64 on Wednesday, she could have marked her birthday by going out with friends or relaxing at home, but true to the spirit of her "family," she got up and went out to do something for others.
Rehabilitative Resources Inc. Assistant Program Manager Victoria Amaral accompanied Lucy on what turned into a busy day of giving. They stopped at the bank, where Lucy withdrew money from her savings account, and then they shopped for coloring books, which they took to Harrington Hospital in Southbridge so sick children might have something to occupy their time.
Even though hospitals, especially the ones made of brick, frighten Lucy, she managed to gather her strength and go inside to present the gifts, Ms. Amaral said.
Lucy not only loves children, she also loves animals, so during a stop at Second Chance Animal Shelter in East Brookfield she dropped off towels that are used for the cats and dogs.
Program Manager Malerie Germain said Lucy is well known in Southbridge, where she frequents Dunkin' Donuts — dipping Munchkins in her beloved coffee.
She stops in at a local deli where the soups are something she can easily eat. She attends services at Central Baptist Church and bakes for church functions.
In honor of her birthday, Lucy also penned thank-you notes to the people who provide her with services such as bringing her mail and taking away the trash. She also sent a card to a church member who is sick.
And there were plates of cookies for the police officer and firefighters along with coffee for her friends at Santander Bank.
While the firefighters were out on a call, Lucy left the cookies, which they found and appreciated, a dispatcher said.
"They were very good and they were really enjoyed," she said.
Lucy shares the home, run by Rehabilitative Resources Inc., with two other women and one man.
They take part in local activities, visit Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary and have art classes on Tuesday nights. Lucy especially enjoys entertaining and during the warmer months can usually be found sunning herself on the porch. She attends a day program during the week.
She uses a Kindle set up with programs to help her cognitive abilities and rides an adapted tricycle to keep her knees in shape.
Someday she hopes to get a tricycle she can use outside.
Recently, Lucy took part in some road races and is hoping to join Team Hoyt where she could be paired with a runner who would push her in a specialized wheelchair and they'd work as a team.
One of her roommates bakes dog treats for the shelter, and they are working on a plan to help local veterans.
While the four have always done good deeds, they ramped up their efforts after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, when folks were being asked to "pay it forward," in memory of those slain.
After some brainstorming about ways Lucy could help others on her birthday, she and the staff decided on her day of giving. She didn't completely forgo a party, though.
She celebrated with neighbors, some of the home's seven staff members and friends Tuesday night, Ms. Germain said.
The reaction of those on the receiving end of Lucy's generosity were surprised and appreciative, Ms. Amaral said.
"A little act of kindness goes a long way," Ms. Germain said.
Contact Kim Ring at kring@telegram.com. Follow her o
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