'Homie Claus' works to bring Christmas to all. Catch him in his blue suit in Bristol

Longtime Bristol Borough activist Morris Derry knows all too well the problems facing the homeless and those suffering with drug addiction.

Derry, himself a reformed former offender with intimate drug addiction experience, collects donations and distributes them to homeless encampments in the woods of Bucks County and in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

"Overall, there are only three times that I have actually cried. It's at a funeral, a wedding, and every time I go to Kensington," Derry said. "You see men and women addicted and homeless, and you know they have families, loved ones and people missing them.

"In Bucks County, it's the same thing," Derry added. "I do outreach in the woods of Bucks County, and if you were to rip the blanket off of Bucks County, it would look just like Kensington."

To serve the needs of the addicted and homeless communities — along with adding just a touch of levity to an otherwise serious situation — Derry dresses as "Homie Claus," and travels throughout Bristol Borough collecting donations for distribution.

Homie Claus, through Derry's nonprofit No More Pain, Inc., will be riding through Bristol Borough on Saturday, Dec. 16, to collect donations and mingle with residents.

'Homie Claus' riding through Bristol Borough collecting donations

Derry, dressed in a striking blue Santa Claus outfit, will ride through more than two dozen streets in Bristol Borough collecting toiletries, hats, gloves and blankets.

Homie Claus' 22-block Bristol Borough donation drive will being at 5:30 p.m. on Swain Street.

Homie Claus will then visit the following streets: Locust, Bath, Buckley, Spruce, Pine, Corson, Mansion, Beaver, Mill, Radcliffe, Market, Mulberry, Walnut, Cedar, Pond, Penn, Wood, Lafayette, Jefferson, Lincoln, Brook, Farragut, Jackson, Cleveland and Benson.

He will then wrap up his donation drive with a visit to Harrison Street at 8 p.m.

'Code Blue' in Bucks County: Bucks County Code Blue season: How it keeps the unsheltered safe, and how you can help

"Nine years ago I started to dress in this fat, blue Santa suit as fun way to get people involved," Derry said. "I just wanted to inspire the community.

"So that's how I try to get the community involved. I drive around Bristol Borough picking up gifts, playing 'Christmas in Hollis' by Run DMC," Derry added. "We're acting a fool and having fun, but it's all about the homeless and those battling addictions."

Anyone wishing to donate to Homie Claus or to find out more about his route can call 215-416-5248.

Donations distributed during 'Winter With the Homeless' event; need is much greater

Derry will distribute the donations during the "Winter With the Homeless" event on Saturday, Dec. 23 in Philadelphia.

As someone who has endured a stint of homelessness and someone who self-entered a drug addiction facility when he was 17, Derry knows that his donations, however great, will only go so far.

Bristol Borough activist answers call: 'Whatever the need, I try to answer.' How a Bristol resident is showing up for community

"There is tremendous need out there in Bucks County, with housing and insurance being the greatest," Derry said. "For example, for the homeless without insurance or welfare insurance, it is difficult to help them.

"When I'm out on the streets talking to people, my first question has to be, 'do you have insurance?'" Derry added. "And that doesn't help the person who needs help right now, because they don't have insurance to get into any programs or services. So housing and a gateway to treatment are needs. I know this first-hand, from being on both sides of that fence."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Homie Claus is bringing cheer, donations to the needy. Here's how.