Ruby’s movement changes the world one senior at a time

I enjoy listening to “On the Road” stories with Steve Hartman on Facebook.

Hartman, a CBS correspondent, travels across the United States sharing stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, then shares it on his evening news segment on Friday nights.

The stories are often heartwarming and touching. And often times they center around kids doing good things.

Take for instance 11-year-old Ruby Chitsey from near Harrison, Arkansas in the northwest corner of the state.

Ruby enjoys going to work with her mom, Amanda, who travels to area nursing homes caring for patients.

That’s when Ruby got a pen and paper and came up with an idea to ask the residents if they could have any three things, what would they want?

She thought most people would ask for money, houses or a Lamborghini.

Instead, the requests where for a new razor, new shoes, cheese, avocados, watermelon, oranges, chocolate cake, Dr Pepper, larger shirts and Vienna sausages, lots of Vienna sausages.

At first, her mom Amanda said, Ruby didn’t have any intentions. “I think she was curious as to what they would want,” said her mom.

Surprised at the requests, Ruby decided she needed to do something, so she started a charity called Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents, a nonprofit organization that fulfills small wishes of nursing home seniors.

Ruby opened a Go Fund Me account to fund the project.

After making her list, Ruby purchases the items at a local grocery store and goes from room to room handing out the goodies.

“It really lifts you,” said Ruby. “It really does.”

Update on Ruby

The “On the Road” story of Ruby aired in March 2019. I reached out to Ruby via email and here is what she had to say.

“My little project has turned into something way bigger than I ever imagined” said Ruby. “We’ve now fulfilled more than 100,000 wishes, opened a 5,000-square-foot community center, bought a delivery van, expanded across the country, and we teach twice-a-week classes helping other kids learn how to love and serve seniors the way I was taught.

“And the kids LOVE it! We make nursing home field trips.

“We also started pop-up clubs across the country so classrooms and youth groups can do what we do in their own communities. We have one right now in Winfield, Kansas. It’s a class of fourth graders.

“I’ve also become a published author of the book, ‘Kindness is My Hobby.’

“The best part is that along the way I’ve made some of my best friends in the nursing home,” said Ruby. “The seniors have helped me just as much, probably more than I’ve helped them.

“Now I’m a high school senior, and I am 18. I am eight years into this journey, getting ready to carry the movement with me to college and study gerontology. I can’t wait to keep learning and growing and finding new ways to make life a little brighter for the residents who shaped me. This is what I am supposed to do and I am excited for the future.”

Cancer update

As many of my readers know, in March doctors found that I had colon cancer. It was discovered March 11 during a colonoscopy.

I had surgery March 21 and spent 10 days and nine nights at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. I had a great surgeon who got me back on my feet.

I had a CT scan Nov. 21 at the Iowa Clinic in West Des Moines. I received a good report and remain cancer free since my surgery.

A blood clot in my right leg was discovered in early June. With medicine and prayer, the clot has dissolved and is gone.

I have since develop a bulging disk in my lower back and have endured some back pain issues for a while. I’m slated to receive a cortisone shot before year’s end.

The pain doctor said that will make a big difference.

My wish for the holiday season is that we all take time to be a difference maker in someone else’s life.

Have a great week, and always remember that “Good Things are Happening” every day.