Richard and Sherrie Jean Perkins, who fixed and donated many thousands of bicycles to area children through the Lauralynn Project, gave so much they were often referred to as summer Santas. Now, with Christmas season here, Richard is trying to give his wife her only Christmas wish; to die at home.

“They’re gonna set up a bed and just let her live out the last days of her life here,” Richard said as the emotions overwhelmed him.

Hospice care workers are helping the couple set up their home to best care for Sherrie Jean. Richard doesn’t want to leave her side and has had a tough time working through all the health care appointments. Now that the frequent trips for treatment are winding down, they’re facing the sad reality of her diagnosis, he said.

“The doctor said that her cancer has gone too far. It’s already in her liver and kidneys and everything. Now she just wants to live on her last days here at home.”

Richard is a night-shift maintenance employee at Albertsons in Cody and has been driving a scrap metal truck by day trying to put food on the table. Sherrie Jean worked in the deli section at the store prior to being forced into retirement.

The couple is best known for their charitable work. For the past five years they toured the Big Horn Basin and beyond carrying dozens of bicycles for children on their trailer. They would also offer to fix bikes for those with flat tires, broken chains or other issues for free. Smiles were enough to keep them committed to the project and a sign on their truck simply said, “We do it for the kids.”

“These people take time to fix up bikes for children and just want to see their happy faces,” said Powell resident April Nalley on one of their trips to Powell.

The bikes were donated by individuals, police departments and some were fished out of loads destined for the landfill. They have been sent as far away as Australia and the Philippines through the Make-A-Wish Foundation (which grants wishes to seriously ill children) and even to Africa through a Christian ministry there, the Tribune reported in 2021.

But, due to the financial crush the couple faced, they were forced to discontinue the giveaways. Richard said they could no longer afford to pay $300-400 a month rent on storage units for donated bikes or the expenses for parts and travel to the many communities they served.

Letting go of the project was “very sad” for the couple, he said. Now Richard tries his best to hold back the tears when he leaves for work. He has some help from a neighbor who can sit with Sherrie Jean when he has to leave, but he wants to be there for his wife until the end.

Sherrie Jean was diagnosed with an aggressive type of lung cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy couldn’t stop it from spreading and she recently spent time in the hospital fighting blood clots.

Friends have come to their side to help with the financial strain and have set up an online GoFundMe account. As of Monday they’ve raised about $3,000 with a goal of $5,000. There is also an account set up at First Bank of Wyoming locations for those who would rather donate in person.

“All that money will be going to Thompson’s Funeral Home,” Richard said.

Prayers and well wishes are also appreciated, said Judy Londo, who set up the accounts for the couple.

“Unfortunately, they don’t have any insurance to help with any of [the funeral and burial] costs, and Richard hasn’t been able to work for the past month. At this point Richard just wants to be by Sherrie’s side. He is her rock!” she said.