WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
- Elle Gianelli started Socks4Seniors to spread cheer during the pandemic by raising money to buy and deliver bright and patterned socks with thoughtful notes to seniors in assisted living facilities.
- With the help of her mother, Rachelle, Elle has covered 40 states and has received requests from all over the world.
- The project has been eye-opening and shows how a small investment of time can make a big difference in the lives of seniors.
Elle Gianelli, a 16-year-old from Stockton, California, started Socks4Seniors to bring smiles to seniors living in assisted living facilities during the COVID pandemic. Together with her mother, Rachelle, they raise funds via GoFundMe to purchase and deliver bright, patterned socks and thoughtful notes to seniors in all 50 states. So far, they have covered 40 states and received requests from all over the world.
According to Rachelle, “For such a small investment of her time, the impact is overwhelming. She wants to put a smile on the faces of these seniors, one pair of socks at a time.”
Elle’s idea to send socks came after visiting a nursing facility for an arts and crafts event just before the pandemic hit. They realized that seniors in assisted living facilities were stuck in their rooms without visitors or activities and decided to send them socks to brighten up their day.
The project has been eye-opening for Elle and Rachelle, who have learned that some seniors never have visitors even without COVID. They do not plan to expand beyond socks but are looking into more creative ways to fundraise as their giving grows.
Source: people.com