CULLMAN, Ala. – Approximately 100 Jeeps and motorcycles showed up Saturday morning for the Cullman County Wranglers’ parade of area senior facilities in Cullman, Hanceville and Falkville. Residents of the facilities were able to come outside and wave as the parade came by. They were thrilled to see the outpouring of love and support, as senior care facilities have not been allowed to have visitors for the past six weeks.
The parade was organized by Cullman County Wranglers and Sheila Johnson. The participants met and got in line for the parade at Depot Park in Cullman.
Johnson explained, “I work with USA Healthcare. I’m the director of clinical and education services. The idea got started because I’m a member of several Jeep pages on Facebook. I saw across the U.S., people were doing Jeep parades.”
Johnson said she felt this was something that could be done for local residents and reached out to the Cullman County Wranglers.
The call went out on Facebook for Jeep owners in the area and the response was huge. Wranglers from Marshall County, Huntsville, Birmingham and all over north and central Alabama came out to join in the fun. The Saints Motorcycle Club also came out to be a part of the loving gesture.
Smiled Johnson, “It’s grown exponentially and exceeded our expectations!”
The Jeep drivers were asked to bring treats and activities for residents to keep them busy and to be used as bingo prizes. The parade traveled to Folsom Center and Cullman Healthcare first. Drivers regrouped at Peoples Bank before visiting Woodland Village, The Sanctuary, Woodland Haus, Hanceville Nursing and Rehab and Monarch Assisted Living, before heading north to Falkville Nursing Home.
The residents at Folsom Center smiled and waved as the parade passed them, prompting one resident to exclaim, “I gotta get me one of those Jeeps!”
The residents at Hanceville Nursing and Rehab waited outside on the warm and sunny Saturday morning. As the sirens approached, they were noticeably excited.
“That was so much fun,” said one resident. “A few of them knew me and it was nice to see them.”
Another resident said simply, “It sure was!”
Escorts for the parade were provided by the Cullman Police Department, Hanceville Police Department, Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and Falkville Police Department.
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