By: Isaiah Showell, Follow South Jersey Multimedia Journalist/’What’s Good’ Host
NORTHFIELD, N.J. — Yonnie Colleluori of Sapphire Balloons and Events is serving the senior citizen community in South Jersey by making and delivering Balloon Buddies to the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
“Balloon Buddies were first put out into the world by Liz Romani and when she started it a bunch of balloon artists across the world not just our nation, but the entire world decided to jump on the balloon buddy bandwagon,” said Colleluori.
Balloon Buddies are a part of the Adopt a Grandparent Campaign that was started by Romani along with Rachel King to show love in a safe and distanced way to seniors during the pandemic, and, once Colleluori was made aware of Balloon Buddies, she made room for several Balloon Buddies in South Jersey.
“How it works is the community sponsors a grandparent and a Balloon Buddy is made for them,” said Colleluori. “A lot of our elderly have been forgotten about, so the reason for the Balloon Buddies is to show them that we’re here, we love you, and we haven’t forgotten about you.”
Balloon Buddies are filled with compressed air and branded with a smile, something that seniors didn’t see much of with facemasks covering them up, but, with 85 Balloon Buddies being delivered to Meadow View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, smiling will be encouraged.
“To all the grandparents out there just know that we’re here we love you and there’s a multitude of people out there thinking about you and there are lots of people at local churches that you can reach out to if you need someone to sit with you,” Colleluori added.
Colleluori is looking to deliver more Balloon Buddies to seniors and is happy to receive assistance. She can be reached at her Facebook page, Grandparents 2021.
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