Ruby Chitsey, (Harrison, AR) is the 15-year-old founder of Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents, a non-profit that fulfills small wishes to nursing home seniors.
Ruby’s mom is a traveling nurse who works at different nursing homes and sometimes Ruby would go to work with her mom. When Ruby was 11 years old, she started questioning some of the residents, asking if they could have any three things, what would they be?
Ruby wasn’t thinking about granting wishes, she was just curious.
“I was very surprised. I thought people would say money, houses, a Lamborghini,” Ruby said.
But it was the little things they were asking for, like a fluffy blanket, new shoes, haircuts, cat food, comfortable pillows, and books.
“Like, that’s all they wanted. And I really decided that I needed to do something,” Ruby said.
That’s when she started Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents.
“There is so much loneliness in the nursing homes, well over 90% of the nursing home residents have less than one visitor per month. We visit, listen and respond to their needs. We make their life sweet again.”
Ruby points out that the government funds over half of our nursing home patients in the US. These patients are allotted $40 cash/month for “extras” – anything not covered under room and board. A haircut is “extra.” Taking care of your dog is “extra.” If they don’t have family that can cover the gaps, they go without. Ruby is here to tell you that these things are not “extra”. She says, “These extras are the things that make life sweeter.”
Ruby and her “Kid Board”, comprised of youth activists who want to make a difference in the lives of nursing home seniors nationwide, have fulfilled over 40,000 wishes so far.
Ruby says, “Kindness is my hobby.” How can you not love that? We are so amazed at how much Ruby has accomplished and how many lives she has touched with her kindness. We’re proud to have Ruby as part of our MKRO family and happy to award her our Kindness Grant.
Is there someone who inspires you with their kindness? Nominate them for the Matt Kurtz Kindness Award of $250.
Do you have an act-of-kindness project you want to do but need help funding it? Submit your idea for the Matt Kurtz Kindness Grant of $500 and let us help you spread kindness.
What joy Ruby must bring to these folks not just by granting their modest wishes but with her kind heart and glowing smile! Thank you for sharing these stories and multiplying Matt’s kindness!
You’re so right, she does so much more than answer wishes. She’s amazing. And I like that, “multiplying Matt’s kindness”. thank you.
I can’t begin to thank Ruby for her thoughtfulness and selfless donation of time. As someone who has a sibling in a nursing facility I can fully appreciate the sad fact that so many residents don’t get regular visits from friends or family. Visiting my sister weekly and being someone who speaks with everyone I sometimes feel ‘adopted’ by other residents who seem so happy to see me and know someone will stop and talk with them. Good job!❤️