About 

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 grew up talking through problems with her Grandad, who was always                                          neutral and loving.  This, combined with her 20+ years in social services, 15 of those                                  in child advocacy working in conjunction with child protective services and the                                          juvenile deprived court system, which provided invaluable insight into children and                                  families, helped her guide her son, Drew, when he was bullied his very first day of                                    Kindergarten.  As they walked this path together, Carmen developed a passion for                                 creating empathy-driven activities, not only to empower Drew, but also to help the kids who were hurting him.  These techniques moved Drew out of the victim role and empowered him to mentor his peers and step into a leadership role.  These techniques are featured in a free resource article and quick-guide poster entitled,

"7 Pointers for Parents to Help Your Kid Deal with a Mean Kid and One Action Your Child Can Take to Go from Hurt to Helper."  

Log in now to read the article and download a free poster!

That same year, Carmen decided the family would hand out random acts of kindness. 

With all the hurt hearts Drew encountered, including his own, her goal was to continue to show Drew the incredible feeling you get from giving and being kind.  Drew took these acts of kindness to heart.  Drew began replicating many of the lessons on his own.  Plus, Drew was using the Pointers mentioned above with much success.  One day Carmen realized the potential impact they could make if she could figure out a way to take these little lessons and acts of kindness and package them to share with other kids.  She excitedly started brainstorming ideas. By the following November Carmen created her first set of packaged lesson kits for Drew's first grade class.  The two continued these lessons randomly and with Drew's classes each year.  The kits resulted in many fun and meaningful conversations, memories and lessons.  And they all lived happily ever after...well, not quite.

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Fast forward to 2017, Drew was now nine, the kids had gotten older, and the bullying-type behaviors had gotten worse. 

"I watched helplessly as my bright, happy and confident child started slipping away.  I saw warning signs for suicide. 

I knew that kids as young as seven were taking their own lives, I’d seen young kids attempt suicide in my work, but for the first time ever I saw that possibility in my own home with my own child. No amount of experience and no words seemed to help, and hugs were only a very temporary band aid.  I was terrified.  Not knowing what else to do, I asked Drew if he wanted to take our lesson kits and go bigger and louder and make it official...and thankfully he agreed.

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We started what is now ELF365, but at the time we called our outreach Come Together with Kindness.  Drew was the founder and spokesperson, which empowered him, once again, by moving him out of the victim role and provided a platform for peer mentoring and leadership on a larger scale. I wrote more lesson kits and we started sharing these with as many kids as possible to show kids how much better it feels to be kind. Plus, after seeing how Drew was positively impacted by giving random acts of kindness, I wanted every child to have the opportunity to experience just how good it feels to give.  That's why every lesson kit has always had an item to keep and an item to give.  The kids not only share the extra item, but also pass the lesson on, thus reaching at least one other child.  What surprised me the most was the residual impact this has on adults!  I've found the lessons also serve as quick and gentle reminders for grown-ups.  There have been so many times, as I write the lessons for kits, with what I believe is Divine guidance, that I realize, "Wow. This lesson is a reminder for me, too."  We can never have too much support to help us along the way as we journey through this life hoping to be the best version of our sELF.  And Drew's artwork, his characters, embody these lessons so well that I find myself empathizing with them and having such a sense of love and happiness seeing how they overcome their issues and pass along such valuable lessons.  It is no coincidence that our experiences, strengths and talents have led us here.  It is such a blessing to be able to create alongside Drew and share our stories and resources in service to others."  ~Carmen

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In 2021, Carmen was led to restructure the program around one of her favorite Kits, "Think Like an ELF."  She realized that the basis of their outreach truly is to help kids Exemplify Love and Friendship.  The core, overarching message of ELF365 is love and acceptance of others, and equally important, love and acceptance of self.  The cornerstone of their mission is treating others as you wish to be treated by viewing life through an empathy lens.  Carmen has written over 100 lesson Kits for every season and every reason, including custom Kits for groups, businesses and special events. And while Drew had always provided some of the artwork for the Kits, by 2023 Drew finally felt confident enough in his craft to sign on to provide 100% of the artwork for ELF365. Drew is the creator of the ELF365 kids, logos, and all illustrations and videos.

In the spirit of Exemplifying Love and Friendship 365, Kits are now called, "ELFercises."

Why?  Because that is exactly what Kits do! Kits use rhyming, short stories and relatable characters coupled with actionable hands-on learning and face-to-face interactions to help kids exercise the valuable lessons shared by ELF365. 

As ELF365 continues to move forward, the two remain focused on fine tuning and structuring their passion for helping others.  Carmen is currently working on structuring all of the lesson kits into a workable program that includes free supplemental resources written by a certified educator.  Drew, now 17, continues in his role as artist/illustrator for all things ELF365, leads the creative processes, and assists with all business decisions.  At nine years old he authored two of his own children's books that he later illustrated in 2023.  His books remain a core part of the ELF365 message still today.  Drew continues to work towards bringing relatable characters and fun videos to all the kids who need him!  Won't you please join us as we listen our way down the ELF365 Lesson Lane on YouTube?!

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Outreach

ELF365 was created to help as many kids as possible.  ELF365 exists to help kids from all over the world ELF365.  (Yep, ELF365 is also a verb! )  That’s why proceeds from ELFercise Kits and book sales help provide free ELFercise Kits for Kids.  Since 2017 over 15,000 free ELFercise Kits for Kids have been provided in 15 countries and 46 states…and counting!  That's an impact of over 30,000 lessons shared!  Plus, we've donated over 550 books and 675 toys, too!  Thanks to YOU and your love and support!

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Business Model

ELF365 uses a B1G1 (Buy-one-give-one) business model.

Much like TOMS, Bombas and Warby Parker, purchases help ELF365 donate resources.

Every ELFercise purchased at regular price helps donate at least one additional Kit.

Every book purchased at regular price does the same.

Special rates are offered to schools and nonprofits so everyone can benefit from ELF365!

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