About ELF365

When our experience, passion, and creativity “Come Together,”

ELF365 is the result.

Meet Carmen and Drew, a mother-son duo.  

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Carmen's 15 years in child advocacy working in conjunction with child protective services and the juvenile deprived court system provided invaluable insight into children and families.  When her son,  Drew, began experiencing bullying when he was just five years old, Carmen developed a passion for creating anti-bullying and kindness-driven activities, not only to help Drew, but also to help the kids who were hurting him.  She knew the kids were acting this way because their hearts hurt.

That same year, in 2012, Carmen decided the family would hand out random acts of kindness at a Christmas festival.  Her goal was to empower Drew through the incredible feeling that kindness and giving provides.  Drew took these acts of kindness to heart, began replicating many of the lessons on his own and mustered up the courage to reach out to the kids who were being mean to him.  Carmen quickly realized the potential impact they could make if these little acts of kindness lessons could be packaged and shared with other kids.  She excitedly started brainstorming ideas. 

By the following November Carmen created her first set of packaged acts of kindness for Drew's first grade class to do during the holidays.  She called the program, "Operation Good Deed Doer," which consisted of four kits labeled, "Secret Service Missions," that were to be completed for Basic Holiday Training.  The day of Drew's Christmas party the kids finished Operation Good Deed Doer, graduated Basic Holiday Training and became certified to do good deeds year round. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone, kids and adults alike...and it was just the beginning.  

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As Drew got older the bullying got worse.  In 2017, when Drew was nine, he was beside himself almost every day after school.  Carmen knew she needed to take action.  She asked Drew if he wanted to go bigger with their efforts to make a positive impact on kids and Drew agreed.  The duo started a kindness and anti-bullying initiative called, Come Together with Kindness, with Drew as the spokesperson.  Carmen expanded her kit writing beyond Christmas to go with every season, sharing lessons of every kind.  Carmen soon realized that Drew's knack for art could be a valuable asset.  She renamed the Secret Service Missions, "Kindness Kits," and started including fun, colorful artwork created by Drew in the Kits.

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In 2021, hoping to reach more kids with a broader appeal, Carmen restructured the program around one of her favorite Kindness Kits, Think Like an ELF.  This brought the program full circle, back to its holiday roots.  Carmen has written over 70 Kits for every season, including custom Kits for businesses and special events.  In the spirit of Exemplifying Love and Friendship 365, Kits are now called, "ELFercises."  

Roles have reversed a bit these days.  Drew is now 15 and doesn't want to be out in front as much, which has put Mom in that position.  Though a little out of her comfort zone, Carmen is embracing her role as the CEO (Chief ELF Officer)!  ;)  Drew continues in his role as the lead artist behind many of the Kits, assists with the creative processes and is the creator of the ELF365 kids and logo.

ELF365 is excited to share affordable, meaningful and fun storiettes and activities to help you and yours Exemplify Love and Friendship 365 days a year.  Think like an ELF and be your best sELF 365!

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Outreach

From the beginning the goal has always been to

help as many kids as possible ELF365.  (Yep, ELF365 is also a verb! )

That’s why proceeds help provide free Kits for Kids.

Since 2017 over 10,000 free Kits for Kids have been provided in 41 states and 14 countries…

and counting.

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