Pay It Forward: Adopt-a-grandparent baskets

Our elderly are unfortunately sometimes forgotten, especially around the holidays and especially if they are confined to a nursing home. To fix this, a business in Idaho Falls is making it possible for you to "adopt a grandparent."

"I figured, you know, this is a gift basket shop, so what better way to give back than a gift basket," said Torri Briggs.

Briggs and her mother Trina Bristow are the co-owners of Dreams & Things Unique Boutique in downtown Idaho Falls. Bristow's grandparents spent time in a nursing home years ago.

"And so this is very near and dear to my heart," she said.

Briggs saw a need after years of putting together Mary Kay baskets for nursing homes and volunteering her extra time with her best friend to work there.

"It's always been in my heart you know. And talking with people that have worked there and I even have nurse friends. They just say how heartbreaking it is this time of year, families forget about them. And so it just always kind of stuck with me so that why I'm doing it," said Briggs.

After starting their gift basket business, some of these baskets would find a welcomed home in area nursing homes. The community has rallied support.

"It's just been great. We've had a huge response from the community coming in and phone calls, just donation after donation. A lot of companies doing multiple donations," said Briggs

"Torri, how are you?" asked Kory Carling walking in and interrupting the conversation.

"Hi. I'm good," said Briggs.

"Good. I'm Kory with Mountain America Credit Union."

"Hi," replied Briggs.

"We heard about your organization and what you're trying to do in such a short amount of time, that we want to be part of it," said Carling.

"Yeah?" said Briggs.

"And we're here to 'Pay It Forward'. So I brought with me $500 cash that I know you'll put toward good use in this time of need," said Carling.

"Thank you!" said Briggs.

"We appreciate all you do for our community," said Carling.

"Thank you," said Briggs.

"You're welcome," replied Carling

"Wow! That's awesome. That helps so much. That will give 20 more residents a basket. So thank you," said Briggs.

"That's awesome. Well done," said Carling.

"Thank you," said Briggs.

"Thank you," replied Carling.

"Ah yeah, the community has just been phenomenal. Don't cry (looking at Bristow). Oh my goodness. Yeah, we have 130 (baskets) left to get now so, out of 288. So this helps so much. Thank you," said Briggs.

"You're welcome," said Carling.

"That's so great," said Briggs.

"I wish I could do for everybody. I wish I could, but it's been an overwhelming feeling to have our community pull together like that. I mean, I know we come from that kind of community, I see it all the time, but for them to come out and help us like this, it has been wonderful," said Bristow.

Dreams & Things Unique Boutique is still taking donations to get more baskets delivered by Christmas. Their goal is 288. Each basket is $25. The baskets will be delivered to Lincoln Court Retirement Community and Teton Post Acute Care, Wed., Dec. 21. They will deliver to Lily & Syringa Assisted Living and Turtle & Crane Assisted Living, Fri., Dec. 23.

Dreams & Things can be reached 208-274-4389. It is located in the bottom floor of the Rogers Building in downtown Idaho Falls, 320 B. Street, Suite 109.

"Pay It Forward" airs the second Wednesday and Thursday of every month. If you know of a nonprofit organization or someone who deserves to be recognized for their contributions to the area, click on "Pay It Forward" on the right side of our website and fill out the form, or send an email to Eyewitness News anchor Todd Kunz at tkunz@kidk.com.