11-Year-Old’s Sweet Mission Gives Lonely Seniors a Special Friend—1,000 Gifts and Counting

“Why do most of the seniors here go without visitors and look so lonely?” 9-year-old Evelyn Hill asked her mom, Jennifer, after visiting Pappy, her beloved grandfather, at his long-term care facility.

“Many aren’t as blessed as Pappy is, sweetie,” Jennifer replied solemnly.

It was then Evelyn thought back to another resident at the facility who always had a baby doll in her wheelchair. It was worn and beat up, but very loved. She seemed so happy having the doll by her side. Evelyn understood the connection, as she herself slept with her cherished stuffed animals. What if I could find a way to make sure everyone had a doll or toy animal to keep them company and make them smile? she wondered. Evelyn decided to go full speed ahead to make that happen.

Life

Meet the 90-Year-Old Seamstress Sewing Joy for Kids Who Need It Most

Margie Conlin once sewed wedding gowns, now she spends her days crafting cuddly dogs that bring comfort to children facing life-threatening illnesses—and she’s stitched more than 300 so far! Here, she shares her story with Woman’s World. Margie Conlin’s friend, Sue, unrolled a Christmas tree skirt and smiled. “I thought you could use it to […]

A plan in motion

With her mom on board, she decided to start a program to provide people living in facilities with baby dolls and robotic pets — such as dogs, cats and birds that make noise, wag their tails and interact with their owner. Research shows both can bring joy to those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as seniors dealing with depression. They named the organization Evelyn’s Blessings.

Next, Jennifer lined up a meeting with Kristen Allen at the Orange County Community Foundation. She secured grants and asked for donations to get them started. With those funds, along with donations from community members purchasing robotic pets from their Amazon Wish List, they were able to acquire 50 robotic pets and baby dolls by the time Evelyn’s Blessings officially launched in April of 2024.

“We’re ready!” Evelyn exclaimed, knowing exactly where their first distribution would be held.

Comfort

Refurbishing Baby Dolls For Foster Kids Answered Her Prayer: “It’s My Joy!”

When Jennie Cullin saw a news story about the sad plight of foster kids, she remembered the comfort she got as a child from her baby doll and decided to give these special kids a special friend too

A friend for all

Their grand debut was at Springs Valley Meadows near their home in French Lick, Indiana — where Pappy lived. Evelyn, along with her mom, dad and brother, brought all 50 dolls and robotic pets. After each resident was presented with a pet or doll, Evelyn helped them pick out a name and wrote it down for them on a birth certificate.

The residents loved their gifts.

“Oh, your hair looks a fright!” one elderly woman exclaimed, brushing out her pet’s hair with a giggle.

At a recent distribution, a woman reluctantly picked out a robotic dog, not sure she’d like it, but within minutes, she began loving on her new pup as if it were real.

Deal of the Day

This Deep Conditioning Collagen Hair Mask for Has 4.9 Stars and Is 80% Off — Get It for $20! View Deal

Word spread, and Evelyn’s Blessings has now been to dozens of facilities in Indiana and a facility in Tennessee, giving out a total of more than 1,000 baby dolls and pets. The program is so popular that they now have 15 facilities on a wait list.

“We lost Pappy in 2024, which was hard for our family because it felt like a light went out,” shares Jennifer. “What Evelyn is doing has made the light come back in many ways. All because of a little girl who wanted to love people.”

Evelyn, who is just turning 11, has goals of expanding to out-of-state facilities, as well as writing a children’s book about the experience.

“I have learned that to do big things, you just have to try,” says Evelyn with pride. “I love making residents smile and knowing that when I leave, I’m leaving a piece of my Pappy, too. That’s very special for me.”