KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Social distancing is not always easy, especially for a young, social-butterfly who loves spending time with friends.
CJ Elmore is a 12-year-old girl from Platte City who spreads cheer with her smile to everyone she sees. So, when social distancing was put in place, CJ wanted to find a way to bring joy to others, without getting too close.
With the help of her mother and father, CJ wrote people's names on small buckets and filled them with candy and chocolates. She also included a small toy, either an old-school paddle with a string and a ball, ping-pong paddles or small paint sets.
CJ, and her mom Lyndy, took the buckets and placed them on people's front porches, leaving the special surprise for them to find.
"I did it because we can't really socialize," CJ Elmore said. "So I just wanted to give away gifts so people could stay busy eating candy and playing with toys. It's hard because I do miss being around my friends."
The 12-year-old's good deeds did not go unnoticed. Her mom told 41 Action News they received several sweet comments about the gifts, thanking CJ for her actions. CJ told 41 Action News she is glad people appreciated it.
"It really felt good to know people appreciated what you are doing for them," CJ Elmore said. "A lot of people told me, 'Thank you,' and, 'I love you.'"
Lyndy Elmore said she is proud of her daughter.
"I thought it was really sweet," Lyndy Elmore said. "She misses playing with her friends so much, especially since she is an only child stuck at home with mom and dad. She wanted to let her friends know she was thinking about them."
Elmore also decided to join in on her daughter's generosity by giving all of the moms flowers as a way to brighten their day and their homes.
The two told 41 Action News, if the social distancing and 'staying-at-home' rules last much longer, they will probably do this again to help bring joy to others.
At 41 Action News, we see people from across the Kansas City-metro area rising to the challenge during these tough times. CJ and Lyndy, #WeSeeYouKSHB for helping spread cheer to others.
