BUFFALO, N.Y. — When Ashley Grimaldi was visiting her grandmother in an assisted living home five years ago, she noticed that many of the other residents didn't seem to get many visitors.
Grimaldi said, "I was absolutely blown away by how many people literally have nobody that goes inside and see them. I was fortunate my grandma was fortunate that we were there literally multiple times a week, every time I would leave there I would honestly get in my car and breakdown,".
When the holiday season came around, she saw someone on social media do an "Adopt a Grandparent" program.
"I saw somebody else doing this across the world and I said, I want to do this," Grimaldi said.
She began a program of her own, asking the community to help her get a gift for each resident at her grandmother's assisted living home.
The gift includes some fluffy socks, a bottle of high quality lotion and a hand written car. Grimaldi said that the card is often the recipients favorite part of the gift.
Grimaldi said, "When they open the card and their like, "love Joanne who's Joanne?" ! just to see the cheer up and let them know that someone is out there thinking of them,".
Each year the program has only continued to grow.
Grimaldi said it has been a joy to be able to bring joy to more and more people.
Last year she had to bring on her friend Elizabeth in order to keep up with all of the gifts. As an added bonus, when they go and deliver the gifts, Elizabeth brings her children along for some extra holiday magic.
"The first year we did like 70 something and I thought that was amazing, last year we did over 400 residents and currently we are at 263 with a goal of 600," Grimaldi said, "This organization means so much to me, yes it did start with my grandmother but it's more about giving back to the community, to the elder and just making joy out of the holidays,".
To adopt a grandparent, Grimaldi said the best way to contact her is her Facebook.