It is that time of year where many people think about volunteering and giving back. I’m personally involved with Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. It’s a great organization in town, and we do lots of community service around Fort Worth. One of the organizations we deal with is Ronald McDonald House, and what a great organization it is.
People don’t realize this, but Fort Worth is very lucky to have such a great children’s hospital in Cook Children’s. It’s the primary children’s hospital for… I don’t even know how far. I would say up to Lubbock and Abilene. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’d say it’s a 300-mile radius.
You have kids coming in getting serious treatment, and their parents and families don’t have any place to stay. So, what the Ronald McDonald House does is sets up a really nice facility for them.
They can come in and they’re not having to stay in a hotel room. It’s right by the hospital, and the kids who are sick can come over if they’re able to. Some, unfortunately, have to stay at the hospital all day while they’re here. It’s just a good little place for them to get a good break.
What we do is come in and help cook the meals for them. We’ve done supper, lunch, and breakfast. You cook a good meal for them, and then that way, they’re not having to just order pizza or eat fast food.
Typically we like to do lasagna or spaghetti or something like that, and they can get some good vegetables, broccoli, or a nice salad or what have you, and get them a good home-cooked meal. They come in and take their mind off of what’s going on there for a minute.
It’s always a neat experience because they’re all very grateful. When you see people going through that and you see those kids fighting and going through what they’re going through, it really helps to put things in perspective.
If you’re looking for a rewarding experience of helping others, I cannot recommend enough for you to get involved with the Ronald McDonald House. You will get so much more out of it than what you put in.
