Sometimes a simple gesture can make a huge difference in another person’s life.
For one teenager, her favorite attire to wear on the golf course became a lesson in love and kindness for others during the Covid pandemic.
And it all started with her love of wearing silly socks on the golf course.
In 2020, Ellie Gianelli was 13 and dealing with covid pandemic as well as a teenager could. One week before “the whole world shut down,” her mother Rachelle said that both she and Elle had gone on a field trip to a local nursing home. There, they participated in an arts and crafts event with the residents.
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When the pandemic shutdown started, it made them start thinking. “We were sitting around thinking, ‘What are those people doing? They’re stuck in their rooms without visitors or activities.'”
Then it hit us to send them the socks,” Rachelle said.
Elle, who got joy out of wearing her silly socks while she played golf, wanted to share the ‘warm fuzzies’ with the people she knew needed it most – the ones who were hit the hardest during the pandemic. Nursing homes across the country were shut down to visitors, leaving many elderly people stranded without anyone to visit them.
Elle Gianelli with some of her Socks4Seniors. Photo courtesy of Rachelle Gianelli
So, the now-16-year-old started raising money for ‘Socks4Seniors’. The goal was to purchase and then send bright, warm, fuzzy patterned socks along with notes to residents of assisted-living facilities. Her goal was to reach seniors in all 50 states. As of now, she has reached 40.
“For such a small investment of her time, the impact is overwhelming,” said her mom, who also helps with Socks4Seniors. “She wants to put a smile on the faces of these seniors, one pair of socks at a time.”
At first, Elle sent packages around her town of Stockton, Calif. Then, they began reaching out to other centers across the U.S. via social media.
Now, “she has requests from all over the world,” Rachelle said. “Since, sadly over time, residents in these places change, there’s always a need. And what we’ve learned is that some seniors never have visitors, COVID aside. It’s been eye opening, and shows this small amount of our time can make such a difference.”
The pair plan to expand their fundraising to be able to continue to give socks to those in need.
“Elle has always been the giving type,” says Rachelle.
It’s just something in her nature. I’m so proud.”
A resident at a nursing home in Wisconsin couldn’t stop smiling after receiving her socks. Photo courtesy of Socks4Seniors
For Elle, it’s been about making sure that the residents of the nursing homes know that there is someone who cares about them.
“Silly socks have always been a passion of mine bringing a smile to my face and my hope is, especially in these crazy times, to give some seniors of our community and in all 50 states something to smile about,” she wrote on her fundraising page.
“I personally provide silly socks to seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities along with a note from me letting them know that they’re being thought of and hoping the socks can be a reminder of that.”
For a look at this kind hearted teen’s amazing gift to others, watch below!
