Our Impact

• 125,000 wishes fulfilled for care home residents across America. 

• Residents served in 49 states, with wishes fulfilled in every state except Hawaii.

• Pop-Up Clubs hosted in 48 states, giving students and community groups a simple way to serve care home residents where they live.

• More than $1 million raised to support wishes, resident programs, youth service opportunities, supplies, and the continued growth of our mission.

• Two Northwest Arkansas locations, expanding our ability to serve more residents, schools, volunteers, and care communities.

• Three classes each week for school children, creating hands-on opportunities to connect generations and teach young people the value of service.

• Approximately 1 million people reached through social media every three months, helping raise awareness about the needs, dignity, and everyday lives of care home residents.

• Hundreds of care homes supported through wish deliveries, special projects, school partnerships, and community involvement.

Behind every number is a real person. Our team works throughout the year collecting donations, organizing supplies, coordinating volunteers, leading youth programs, visiting care homes, and fulfilling individual wishes. We are committed to using every donation carefully and turning community support into meaningful help for residents who are too often overlooked.

Our Story

HOW IT BEGAN

A message from our founder, Ruby Kate

I grew up in nursing homes.

My mom worked there, so I spent a lot of time with the residents. I loved their stories, their hugs, and the way they made me feel like I belonged. 

When I was 10, I met a resident named Pearl who had to give up her dog because she could no longer afford to care for it. That was when I began to understand how little spending money many nursing home residents receive each month.

That money may have to cover everything from haircuts and clothing to snacks, toiletries, stamps, and pet supplies.

So I started asking residents one simple question:

“What are your three wishes?”

My Mom feared big answers.

Instead, they asked for fresh strawberries, a pair of pants that fit, a Pepsi, stamps, or real cheese.

Things most of us pick up without a second thought felt like luxuries to them.

That is how Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents began.

What started with one resident and three small wishes has grown into a youth-led nonprofit that has fulfilled more than 125,000 wishes for care home seniors across America. We have served residents in every state except Hawaii and hosted Pop-Up Clubs in 48 states.

But the number of wishes is only part of the story.

The real impact happens when a resident realizes someone remembered them. It happens when a child walks into a care home to volunteer and leaves with a new friend. It happens when generations that rarely spend time together begin to understand one another.

We are not just delivering things.

We are reminding people that they are still seen and still loved.

Ruby Kate Chitsey
Founder and CEO
Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents

Ruby’s Pledge for Three Wishes Volunteers

I will do my best to be:
Blind to everything but my small role in the facility,
Kind and Respectful to all that I encounter,
Responsible for my actions and words,
Aware of the tender feelings of others,
An inspiration to others through my actions today,
Leave the nursing home with more joy than I found it.