About 15 years ago, Rachael Atkinson’s family started the tradition of helping others in Lake Havasu City by giving socks, blankets and puzzle books to seniors at assisted living homes. They wanted to give those without family a little something special at Christmastime.
Then, a Havasu Side x Side tradition “SxS For Seniors” was born.
“We decided because these ride groups wanted to donate back to the community, in 2019 we came up with this. We stopped at nursing homes, and then always came down here (to the London Bridge) afterwards,” said organizer Rachael Atkinson.
“Thanks to Harriet and Dallas helping; it’s become what it is under the London Bridge,” Atkinson said.
Saturday night’s ride started at the former Kmart building parking lot and the Side x Side clubs took three different routes in the central, north, and south ends of town. About 70 participated in the event and were decorated in everything from the Grinch, the London Bridge, candy, and a nativity scene.

A decorated SXS is lined up ready to go for the “Socks for Seniors” ride. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
The clubs, Ride Dirty Havasu (Ken and Ginger Ammerman and team) and Ride Havasu SXS (Paula and Jeff Murphy and team), Adventures with Bob (Bob Bergh and team), and Riders Adventures (Jonathan Rider and team), dropped of socks, gifts and blankets to the assisted living homes throughout Lake Havasu.
As the sxs’s pulled up, residents were out front with their caretakers waving and pointing at all of the lighted and decorate vehicles.
They donated 500 gifts and stopped at 18 assisted living facilities.
“‘The Socks for Seniors’ was the highlight of our season, filling our residents with joy and excitement. They clapped, cheered, and shared in the magic, creating memories that will last long after the holidays,” said Gems Assisted Living owner, Vilma Urbina. “They loved it.”
New this year to the event, Good Vibes DJ played music under the London Bridge and there were three winners of the decorated SXS contest.
The winners are:
First Place: Tony and Ann Gauf (London Bridge SXS)
Second Place: Brian and Shannon Baesen (Candyland SXS)
RiverScene Magazine was invited to ride along with Bob Bergh to cover the ride. More videos can be found on our RiverScene Magazine social media.
For more information, visit sxs4seniors.com.
Here are photos from the event.

“Marjore” from Gems Assisted Living, Susan Rosenthal, Darryl Fitzwater, and Bob Bergh pose for a photo during “Socks for Seniors.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
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