Three Wishes for Ruby's Residents CEO and Founder Ruby Chitsey Becomes Published Author

Ruby Chitsey, who has received national attention, stands out as an advocate for seniors in nursing homes and recently became a published author.

Chitsey is the CEO and Founder of the charity Three Wishes for Ruby's Residents. She appeared on KHOZ's "Around The Table" on Friday with her mother Amanda to discuss her work. "Kindness Is My Hobby: How to Change the World Right Where You Are" was published on June 2 of this year.

"This book is really just a way to teach people how to do what I do wherever they are," she said. The non-profit founder said people ask her how they can do what she's doing in places like Florida, Chicago, throughout the country and even internationally.

The book is a lesson in showing kindness to others, especially showing kind to seniors. She said something to remember is that "kindness is free" and that acting kindly toward others is "really sweet." Chitsey will sign copies of her book at Boone County Library on June 13 at 4 p.m. a few copies will be available at the signing, so she encouraged people wanting a signed copy to purchase one on Amazon and bring it to the library for her to sign.

Chitsey, who started doing her work at just 10-years-old is now 15. She told KHOZ about what sparked her journey. She said she has visited nursing homes with her mom since she was four years old.

Her mom is the president of the charity and has experience as a small business owner as well as that of "geriatric nurse practitioner for 25 years," according to the Three Wishes for Ruby's Residents website. The teenager said she has "always had a heart for seniors."

"They're someone that I really enjoy being around and people that I really just enjoy," she said. She said seeing seniors in nursing homes sad makes her sad too.

She recalled that she saw a woman who appeared sad and looking out the nursing home's glass doors. Chitsey explained that it was clear she was unhappy.

"I asked her what was wrong, and she said told me that she didn't think she was ever going to see her dog again," the CEO said. This birthed her idea.

The idea was to ask all the nursing home residents what three wishes they have, specifically, what three things they would want if they could have anything. What they asked for wasn't impossible.

She said they asked for French fries, fresh fruits, haircuts and other ordinary things. She revealed that they purchased everything the seniors requested. More was discussed during the broadcast.

The full interview with Ruby and Amanda is on the "Around The Table" Facebook Page.