GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio — Ever hear of someone chasing rainbows? You know, the ones whose goals are out of reach? A wanderer. A dreamer.
Then, there are people like 9-year-old Ella Tryon, who start with an idea and follow it through, helping sick kids across the United States.
"I just wanted to color and have other people have the same opportunity," Ella said.
The young innovator started the non-profit Help Me Color A Rainbow at the young age of six. She was a patient herself for gastrointestinal issues, when she noticed a lack of crayons in the children's play area.
So, she sprang into action, and asked her mom that night if she could start an organization which would provide crayons to children's hospitals.
It started with a donation at church, and then it just kept growing.
For the past three years, Ella and her Help Me Color A Rainbow have delivered 39,000 boxes of crayons to kids in hospitals. One drop off in particular at St. Jude's Hospital left 5,000 boxes alone.
"We couldn't fit all of them in my mom's car," Ella said of the St. Jude donation.
Even ER doctors are impressed by her, saying the world needs more of Ella.
"She doesn't hesitate to make you happy. She will do anything to get you to smile, no matter who you are," said Dr. Tina Piscitelli-Shaffer, Emergency Medical Director at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center.
Dr. Piscitelli-Shaffer knows Ella personally, and has been inspired by her giving nature.
"I think Ella is a perfect example of what we need more of, no matter what age, no matter where we're from, no matter what we do," she said.
We, at Channel 3, agree. And we wanted to help.
So, we surprised Ella with a wagon full of crayons at her drop-off at Geauga Medical Center earlier this week.
But even if you don't have a lot to give to Ella, she says it's more than enough.
"When people say, 'I just have one box,' I'm like, 'Hey, that's one kid, you know?'" Ella said.
Ella Tryon is no rainbow chaser. She's a rainbow builder, for sick children around the country.
"It just makes me proud that I made those people, just happy," Ella said.
To visit the Help Me Color A Rainbow page, click HERE.