16 BOCNEWS.com JUNE 2018 The Donut Man He walks into a McDonald’s and the kids instantly point to him and tell their parents “That’s the Donut Man.” A lot of children know him because their first stop before school is at Leake Memorial Methodist Church, off Iola Street, east of Havana in Aurora. They love seeing Jim Parsons standing there to greet them and hand out those golden glaze, sprinkles, chocolate and other assortment of delicious donuts. Parsons, 87 years old, calls it his “Donut” ministry and has been giving away free donuts to children since 2015. He was thinking about what he could do with his spare time and asked his pastor, the Rev. John Conway, if he could start a donut ministry at the church. So, every morning, Monday through Friday, Parsons leaves his house around 6 a.m. and heads to King Soopers. He purchases three boxes of donuts and then heads to the church. He spends at least $10 a day on donuts – almost $60 a week – paid for out of his own pocket. The wave of children trickles in as they get excited about getting some free donuts. Parsons laughs, “Yeah sometimes I have to tell them to stop and behave because they be standing in line pushing and shoving each other. Most of these kids are Spanish, Vietnamese, Black and interracial. And I always telling them, God made you and loves all you children.” But he does have one rule: None of the children can come into the church wearing hoodies over their head. Besides giving out free donuts to children, Parsons walks down the street on Colfax Avenue handing out business cards with the church’s address and worship service times. He also doesn’t hesitate to be a financial blessing to oth- ers while walking down the street. If they ask him for a $1 or whatever the amount, he tries to give them what he can. “God said the more you give, the more you will get back,” he said quoting from the Bible, Luke 6:38: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap….” That is why Parsons feels so blessed by God. He served in the United States Air Force from 1948 to 1952. He seemed good with numbers and financially astute that the military sent him to England and France to do finances and payroll for the troops. After his military service, he worked for the City and County of Denver until retiring in 1988. He then spent another 17 years working at the Bank of Denver and retired. He recalls growing up in a little house off Lafayette Street in Denver. The house is still there he said. And Parsons will tell you how much he enjoys his single life after being married twice. He is even throwing his own 88th birthday party coming up at 6 p.m., on September 14, at the Renaissance Hotel off Quebec St. People are welcomed to come and enjoy some free food, but they must purchase their own beverages. Part of living a full life, according to Parsons, is knowing God will make a way. Sheila Smith By Sheila Smith COMMUNITY