Elves for Elders: How One Woman’s Small Act of Kindness Sparked a Movement

​What started with a single, handmade Christmas card has blossomed into a nonprofit that brings holiday cheer to thousands of elderly residents across Rhode Island. Maxine Mae Hutchins, a long-time elder care worker, is the founder of Elves for Elders, a community-based program ensuring that some of the state’s most isolated seniors feel remembered during the holidays.
The idea for Elves for Elders came to Hutchins years ago when she was working as a social worker in senior housing. Wanting to do something special for the 200 residents in her buildings but unable to afford gifts on her salary, she decided to make each person a Christmas card.
“My friends thought I was absolutely crazy,” Hutchins recalls. “They said, ‘Just buy a box of cards. They’re only going to throw them out.’”
But she persisted, believing the personal touch was a gift in itself. Her effort was validated when a resident approached her after the holidays. “She said, ‘Thank you so much for the Christmas card. It was the only one I got,’” Hutchins shares. “I actually cried when she left my office.”
That resident was 82, had never married, had no children, and most of her friends had passed away. There was simply no one left to think of her at Christmas. “I knew if that was the only card she got, she didn’t get a gift,” Hutchins says. “I thought, how sad must that be?”
This experience planted a seed. Twenty-six years ago, Hutchins launched the first iteration of her gift drive from her own home, providing gifts for 300 seniors. Last year, Elves for Elders served 5,000 people across 62 communities in Rhode Island.
The program works by connecting community generosity with specific needs. Hutchins collects wish lists from activity directors at nursing homes, subsidized assisted living facilities, and adult daycare centers. Each senior’s first name and gift request—which can range from practical items like slippers to whimsical wishes like a Stetson hat—is written on a paper star.
These stars are then placed on trees in public locations, like the Warwick Mall, where community members can pick one, purchase the gift, and return it. A team of volunteers, or "elves," then ensures every gift is collected and distributed.
Hutchins emphasizes the significant need among the elderly, especially those in nursing homes who may only have $75 a month for all personal expenses, including toiletries, haircuts, and new clothes. Food stamps don't cover essentials like toilet paper or laundry detergent, leaving many low-income seniors struggling.
The program is entirely run by volunteers, including Hutchins herself. To cover operational costs and purchase gifts for any stars that aren't selected, the organization holds fundraisers throughout the year and recently became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, allowing for tax-deductible donations.
The community's generosity has been overwhelming. This year, 200 stars placed at the Warwick Mall were gone within a week. “That’s very fast for the beginning of the program,” Hutchins notes.
For Hutchins, the reward is immeasurable. She recounts a time she gave a bag of late-returned gifts to a homeless veteran. "He was like, 'For me?' His face was priceless," she says. "That's what the program does for me. As much as I give with this, it brings more to me."
How to Help
While a website is currently under development, donations can be sent by mail. Checks can be made out to "Elves for Elders" and mailed to:
Elves for Elders
C/O Halcyon at West Bay
2783 W Shore Rd
Warwick, RI 02889