Nicole Cremente, a senior marketing major, and Daniel Formella, a sophomore history major, have spent time during the pandemic forming new friendships.
Cremente, who lives in New Jersey, has befriended Connie, who lives in Texas. Formella talks each Saturday with Elva, who also is located hundreds of miles away. Both sets of friends are unexpected because of their age differences.
The new friendships formed through Big & Mini, an online platform — created by friends of Formella from high school — designed to help connect young people with the elderly and form connections during this time of increased social isolation.
They were featured in a Houston Chronicle article and most recently on the Today show.
When the pandemic is over, Fromella and Elva plan to meet in person.
“Connie, I literally do not know what I would do without you. I’m so grateful to have you in my life,” Cremente said in the Today show clip.
“That means so much to me, Nicole,” she responded.