Starting as early as November 15th fourth edition of the Santa's Grandchildren project of the Association Un Sorriso in più. The unknown "grandchildren" with a heart of gold can already connect to the e "booking" a wish of the guests of rest homes of the whole national territory.
The project
Santa's grandchildren is an initiative of the Un Sorriso in Più Association born from the idea of architect and web designer Katerina Neumann in 2017 and inspired by an existing project in the Czech Republic. The organizers define it as “an innovative tool to contrast loneliness which represents an extraordinary opportunity for the elderly to be able to make a wish, rediscover the beauty of dreams, find hope in the future and in people, feel that someone thinks of them and their happiness“. Indeed, one thing is certain. In four years of activity, the project has given countless smiles of happiness to our elderly, true pillars of our history and of the society of this country.
How does it work?
Anyone interested in participating can connect to the site www.nipotidibabbonatale.it e consult the "desire table". There are constantly entered by the adhering residences for the elderly, throughout Italy, the wishes for Christmas requested by guests. Grandparents confide in educators with sincerity and often great humility… many of them don't know yet that someone out there is going to harvest that wish! Santa's aspiring grandchildren can browse the complete list on the site, also divided by RSA or city or region, and book one or more wishes. In that way they come into direct contact with the structure that houses the elderly person who has expressed that desire ed it is also possible to arrange for the delivery of the gift in person!
Santa's wishes for grandchildren
Some wishes are very simple, like a new pair of pants or a smart sweater. Small requests but that say a lot about these people, of great humility and used to few demands. They ask for items that we take for granted and even hoard in quantity, but which for them can become a source of great joy. Other wishes are more specific, like Mariateresa from Piedmont who would like a couple of Tyrolean dolls. Some are unexpected like a tablet with a keyboard or wireless headphones. Still others are very specific, like Valeriano dal Friuli who would like a wristwatch with a blue elastic strap. Or Alberto from Treviso who dreams of camouflage sweatpants. There is never a shortage of requests for experiences: a pizza with friends, a hot chocolate to share, or even go to the opera or attend a fashion show!
Santa's grandchildren: the numbers for 2021
Over the years, the project has won more and more affection and collected more and more "grandchildren" with a golden heart. In 2021 alone, there were 7.853 wishes collected… and they have all been made, guarantee the organizers of Santa's Nephews. On the other hand, 324 RSAs were involved throughout the national territory. Who knows if 2022 will be able to break the record?
