NOTE: Greg McQuade and CBS 6 News are featuring local heroes in a weekly “Heroes Among Us” segment. Watch Greg’s reports Thursdays on CBS News at 6 or here on WTVR.com. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured on “Heroes Among Us,” click here to email heroes@wtvr.com.
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Bill Jones has taken the season of giving to an entirely new level. The 71-year-old veteran lives, eats, breathes and sleeps Christmas. Like Santa Claus, Jones delivers toys and games to hundreds of children whose families have a hard time making ends meet.
"I’m not a kid, but I look forward to Christmas every year," Jones said. "It is one of the biggest joys in my life."
In the last couple of weeks Jones has purchased close to 1,200 toys and will give them as gifts boys and girls he does not know. He said he wanted to help children who might go without on Christmas.
Since 1985, Jones has organized an annual toy giveaway for hundreds of children in need.
He spends about $10,000 of his own savings each year.
"Money is nothing but a piece of paper," Jones, who works as a warehouse manager when he is not playing Santa, said. "You see a lot of happiness right there in their faces. And a lot of joy."
Barbi Jackson, benefited from Jones’ kind heart after her home was broken into and her children’s belongings stolen.
"He was very touched by my story. He cried. I cried," Jackson said. "He opened up about three crates full of toys and said pick out toys for my kids."
Bill said he opens his heart and wallet to strangers because he does not have family of his own.
Jones said he opens his heart and wallet to strangers because he does not have family of his own.
He lost his fiancé and baby in a car crash 50 years ago.
"It hurt a great deal. Christmas isn’t really a happy time because I spend it by myself all of the time," he said.
Jones tried to escape the hurt joining the Marines and serving in Vietnam.
The veteran returned on a mission, to heal his pain by giving back.
"I could have been mad and bitter, but I decided to turn it around and do something positive with it," Jones said. "These kids mean more to me than anything in the world. I’ve never had this much happiness in all of my life."
Bill Jones is a jolly good elf who will be giving Santa some competition for many Christmases to come.
"I’m still young yet. I’ve got a long way to go," he said. "If I can do it the rest of my life that is what I need."
Jones is in contact with the Christmas Mother and local churches. If you would like to help Bill Jones collect toys for his Christmas giveaway or if you know of a family in need -- that is how you can reach him.
Greg McQuade and CBS 6 News are featuring local heroes in a weekly “Heroes Among Us” segment. Watch Greg’s reports Thursdays on CBS News at 6 or here on WTVR.com. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured on “Heroes Among Us,” click here to email heroes@wtvr.com.
