‘I miss Papa’: Grandbuddies helps Washington County kids find new grandparents

ST. GEORGE — During the holiday season, it is easy for those who have lost a grandparent to miss them. For one Southern Utah 8-year-old, it’s just a matter of finding a replacement.

Ava Korn spreads cheer at a nursing home with her brother in Washington County, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Rebekah Korn, St. George News

Ava Korn misses her grandfather, who lived in a nursing home in another state. After his death, she couldn’t stop thinking about the other residents who live in similar establishments during the holidays.

“I encourage other kids like me to spend time with the elderly,” she said. “I go to assisted living homes, make presents for them and sing and dance with them.”

With the help of her mother, Ava started Grandbuddies: The Friendship Network and is currently in the process of applying for nonprofit organization status.

Rebekah Korn said when her father died in 2022, Ava was an All American Girl Pageant winner in her age division. She noted the program teaches young women the importance of community service.

When Ava Korn’s (front left) grandfather passed away last year, she started to visit the elderly in assisted living facilities in Washington County, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Rebekah Korn, St. George News

“Most of the elderly we see just want somebody to go in there and talk to them,” she said. “There are so many social programs out there for every age group, but not the elderly living in assisted care. We are encouraging kids of all ages to come join us.”

From singing and dancing, arts and crafts, storytelling, listening to music and presenting small gift bags of essentials, Grandbuddies is looking for supplies, monetary donations and kids to visit nursing homes with Ava.

“This year we are going to give them presents, toothbrushes, deodorant, lotions, soaps — all the presents they need,” Ava said.

During Ava’s recent trips delivering Easter baskets in Washington County, Rebekah was surprised to find that it is the family’s responsibility to provide hygiene products in many nursing homes.

“So this time they will get a bag with those necessities, but something cozy too,” she said. “Like fuzzy socks and chocolates, a mixture of both. Then we will hit as many nursing homes as we can in St. George, Hurricane and Washington.”

When asked how the residents in assisted living respond to her previous visits, Ava answered with how the social calls make her feel as well.

“I feel like they are happy,” she said. “I feel like I am going to do great things in the world.”

She never got the chance to ask “Papa” in Minnesota if he was lonely, but Ava doesn’t want anyone in her hometown to feel that way as a result.

Ava Korn started Grandbuddies: The Friendship Network after losing her grandfather last year, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Rebekah Korn, St. George News

“We only got to go see him, like once a year,” she said. “I wanted to do this because I miss Papa. And I don’t want other people in nursing homes or residents to be lonely. Did you know people can die?”

In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, Dr. Dan Blazer and medical doctor Nancy Donovan discuss the impacts of social isolation and loneliness, or SI/L, in Americans post-pandemic.

“Many older adults do not have access to email, social media or video-conferencing, which has been widely implemented to compensate for the lack of in-person social contacts,” the study concluded. “Furthermore, the adequacy of these technologies is unstudied and their advantages may be offset by missing aspects of human interaction, such as touch and three-dimensional perspective.”

Ava Korn spreads cheer at a nursing home with her brother in Washington County, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Rebekah Korn, St. George News

According to the research, effects of SI/L can lead to significant health problems. In elderly patients, there are elevated risks of depression and anxiety, cognitive disorders like dementia and an increased risk of death for those with extended periods of loneliness.

Southern Utah residents wishing to donate hygiene products, fuzzy socks and gloves or candy for stockings can drop off supplies at Boost Mobile, located at 765 North Bluff St., Suite A, in St. George.

Grandbuddies also has an Amazon Gift List at this link for those who want to purchase products online. Those wishing to donate through Venmo can do so @Bekah-Korn19.

And for parents who have children with similar wishes to spend time with a new grandparent, contact Rebekah Korn by email at rebekah@fox-communications.com.

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