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Influencer’s Heartfelt Appeal Generates Gift Drive for Seniors

Senior care home residents joyfully opening gifts during Christmas celebrations

Rock Hill, South Carolina, December 26, 2025

A viral post by Dugan Meredith has ignited a massive gift drive for Kempton of Rock Hill, a senior care home in South Carolina. The initiative, inspired by Meredith’s desire to bring joy to assisted living residents, particularly his mother-in-law with dementia, resulted in thousands of gifts being sent from across the U.S. and U.K. Residents celebrated by distributing these gifts at a Christmas party and also created goodie bags for local homeless shelters, showcasing the spirit of community and compassion.

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Influencer’s Heartfelt Plea Sparks Massive Gift Drive for Senior Care Home

Rock Hill, South Carolina – A viral social media post by influencer Dugan Meredith has led to an overwhelming outpouring of gifts for residents at Kempton of Rock Hill, a senior care facility in South Carolina. Meredith’s heartfelt appeal, aimed at bringing joy to assisted living residents, particularly his mother-in-law living with dementia, resulted in thousands of gifts arriving from across the United States and the United Kingdom. The response was so significant that 181 packages were delivered in a single Amazon box. Residents celebrated by distributing these gifts during their recent Christmas party, showcasing the community’s spirit.

On December 23, residents and team members loaded remaining gifts onto the Kempton shuttle bus and delivered them to several local organizations, including White Oak of Rock Hill, Magnolia Manor of Rock Hill, Spring Oak at York, and Chandler Place Assisted Living and Memory Care. Additionally, the seniors created goodie bags filled with donated items for a local homeless shelter with assistance from the Casual Pint Crafty Girls, a group that regularly visits Kempton residents. Lisa Battistelli, the executive director of Kempton of Rock Hill, expressed her gratitude for the generosity, stating, “It is just amazing. People do care. It has restored my faith in humanity.”

Background

Dugan Meredith, who has 800,000 followers on his “Taking Care of Granny” Facebook and TikTok pages, made a heartfelt holiday request aimed at bringing joy to assisted living residents. His appeal resulted in a staggering number of gifts arriving from across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Community Impact

The seniors, grateful for the outpouring of kindness, decided to pay it forward by delivering gifts to local nonprofit organizations on December 23. This act of generosity not only brightened the holidays for many but also fostered a sense of community and compassion among residents and staff.

About Kempton of Rock Hill

Kempton of Rock Hill is a senior care facility located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, dedicated to providing quality care and a supportive environment for its residents. The facility offers various programs and activities aimed at enhancing the well-being and quality of life for older adults.

About Dugan Meredith

Dugan Meredith is an influencer with 800,000 followers on his “Taking Care of Granny” social media pages. He is known for his heartfelt appeals and dedication to bringing joy to assisted living residents, especially his mother-in-law who is living with dementia.

About the Casual Pint Crafty Girls

The Casual Pint Crafty Girls is a group that regularly visits Kempton residents, assisting them in creating goodie bags filled with donated items for local homeless shelters. Their involvement highlights the community’s commitment to supporting those in need.

About Lisa Battistelli

Lisa Battistelli is the executive director of Kempton of Rock Hill. She expressed gratitude for the generosity shown by the community and how it has impacted both the residents of Kempton and the broader community.

About Local Organizations Impacted

Local organizations such as White Oak of Rock Hill, Magnolia Manor of Rock Hill, Spring Oak at York, and Chandler Place Assisted Living and Memory Care all benefited from the collective generosity of residents. These facilities are dedicated to providing quality care and support to their residents, enhancing their quality of life.

Conclusion

The gift drive initiated by Dugan Meredith has demonstrated the profound impact of community involvement and the spirit of giving during the holiday season. It serves as a reminder of how local philanthropy and compassion can uplift not only the recipients but also the entire community. Rock Hill’s residents are encouraged to continue supporting local businesses and organizations, reinforcing the fabric of community in this vibrant Southern city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inspired Dugan Meredith to start the gift drive?

Dugan Meredith made a heartfelt holiday request aimed at bringing joy to assisted living residents, particularly his mother-in-law who is living with dementia.

What was the outcome of the gift drive?

The gift drive resulted in thousands of gifts arriving from across the United States and the United Kingdom, with residents celebrating and distributing these gifts during a Christmas party.

Which local organizations received gifts from Kempton residents?

Gifts were delivered to local organizations including White Oak of Rock Hill, Magnolia Manor of Rock Hill, Spring Oak at York, and Chandler Place Assisted Living and Memory Care.

What role do volunteers play in the gift drive?

Volunteers such as the Casual Pint Crafty Girls assisted in creating goodie bags filled with donated items for local homeless shelters, showcasing community support.

Feature Description
Influencer Involvement Dugan Meredith initiated a gift drive for seniors, resulting in a significant number of donations.
Community Engagement Residents of Kempton participated actively by distributing gifts to other local facilities.
Generosity Impact Thousands of gifts were sent from across the U.S. and U.K., highlighting community spirit.
Volunteer Contributions Groups like the Casual Pint Crafty Girls played a crucial role in creating goodie bags for the homeless.

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STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL

The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.

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