While reflecting on everything I do is kind of my thing all year, in November, I tend to kick it up a notch. The season of giving thanks compels me to want to “do good” or at least “do better.” Obviously, Hubby knows this about me and was thus completely on board when I suggested that we DO GOOD, DO BETTER, and use the money we would have spent for a date night to do something for charity instead. But we didn’t want to just donate money. (What fun would that be?) No, we wanted to still have a date but, you know, have it for a good cause!
We all know that volunteering is an excellent way to give back to our community, but did you know that it can enhance your relationship? Studies have shown that doing volunteer work triggers the release of oxytocin, otherwise known as “the love hormone.” This “feel-good hormone” can help people to feel closer and to form a stronger bond. Not to mention, is there anything more attractive than watching your loved one be a really good person? Wait, there is something better … being a really good person alongside your loved one!!
To be honest, the organization we would “do better” for really was a no-brainer. The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) has been a cause near and dear to us ever since our daughter was hospitalized when she was an infant … twice. While we never stayed in one of the houses, we often visited the lounge area that they had in the hospital, had home-cooked food brought to our hospital room, and used the laundry facility and a toiletry kit when my sweet girl parted ways with her breakfast, lunch and dinner all over me while we sat in the ER waiting for a bed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Thankfully, my daughter made a complete recovery and today is a freshman in college who would probably cringe with me retelling this. That said, whenever possible, she has joined Hubby and me when we have participated in fundraisers for RMHC and even helped bake goodies and cook and serve meals at the Lake Nona House so that another parent can experience the much-needed comfort during a time that is anything but comfortable.
Our first thought was to do another share-a-meal option as our date with a cause, but because of COVID, that was not an option. (They are hoping to be bringing back the in-person, volunteer share-a-meal program soon but in the meantime are accepting monetary donations toward feeding the families.) Then, I remembered the toiletry kit that I was given years ago and knew instantly what we needed to do.
First, we set a budget. We figured that we have easily spent $125 on a date night in the past. With this amount in mind, we headed out to Walmart to hit the shelves for travel-sized containers – which was also where we figured out we could make 20 kits containing the necessities: shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant. We also bought snack-size Skittle packages because it went along with the message of hope we were going to include with each kit: “The Greater Your Storm, the Brighter Your Rainbow!” (Get it? Skittles’ slogan is “Taste the rainbow!” I know, corny, but hey, if it brings a smile to just one person’s face, then we did good.) A quick stop was made to Dunkin’ to grab an iced coffee to fuel us on, and then we headed home to make the kits! It took us a while to figure out how to package it all up, but once we did, we had the kits done in just half an hour. We then boxed them up and headed over to the Lake Nona House to drop them off.
Lucky for us, house manager Travis Hazard was available to talk to us (and take a quick picture). He shared with us how much time having the kits done up like we did saved them and that they are always in need of them as well as laundry detergent pods and gift cards to Publix, Walmart and local restaurants. (The House also has a WISHLIST on their website that is constantly being updated to reflect the needs of all three busy Orlando Houses.)
This November (and any other month of the year), why not give up an expensive dinner with your sweetie and instead find a way to experience a date for a cause you feel passionate about! While the act will benefit our Lake Nona community, I guarantee you … you and your honey will get even more from the experience!
The Ronald McDonald House at Nemours Children’s Health Lake Nona is located at 6551 Nemours Parkway, Orlando, FL 32827. Their phone number is (321) 319-4748. For more information about the organization, to view their wishlist, or to see how else you can get involved, visit their website at https://www.rmhccf.org/our-houses/nemours.
