Hobart girl’s crafty ideas benefit charities

One of the memories seared into Gabby Mazzulla’s mind came at age 5, while riding in her dad’s car in Chicago.

The young Hobart girl, who attends Joan Martin Elementary, saw homeless people living on the streets without shelter.

“When I was 8, I told my mom I wanted to raise money to help them,” she said.

Now at age 10, Gabby’s Gifts is raising thousands of dollars for local charities, largely through exposure on social media.

The Women Lawyers Association of Indiana took note of Gabby’s work recently, giving her a $200 check so she can continue to buy craft supplies to create wreaths and other items she sells.

“Our group is about supporting women in all aspects of life and when we see young girls like Gabby giving back and doing charity work, it embodies one of our core principles,” said Kelly Kopulos-Davila, the group’s president.

Gabby initially started making little snowmen out of socks and rice for a school craft fair. Then, she watched a wreath-making video on YouTube.

Gabby and her mother, Jennifer Kljajich and grandmother, Juanita Kljajich, of Crown Point, began visiting craft stores and buying materials.

They created seasonal wreaths marking Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and July 4. The wreaths were a hit. During the first year, Gabby’s Gifts made donations to Brother’s Keeper, a Gary homeless shelter and St. Jude House in Crown Point, a women’s shelter.

The trio also fills up backpacks with toiletries, toys and other items for the shelter residents. They’ve donated more than $3,000, last year. Each wreath sells for $35. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge, but orders are coming in steadily this year.

Gabby’s mom and grandmother buy the supplies out of their own pockets and all the revenue they earn goes to charities.

They’ve expanded their reach recently, donating to Lakeshore PAWS, an animal rescue group and the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago.

“We just try to give back,” said Gabby.

For information, see

Gabby’s Gifts on Facebook or email gabbysgifts2020@ gmail.com.

CAROLE CARLSON/POST-TRIBUNE Gabby Mazzulla, right, of Hobart, and her mother, Jennifer Kljajich, with one of their wreaths at a recent dinner honoring Gabby’s efforts for charities.