Acts of Kindness

Shortly before Thanksgiving, someone on the alumni page on Facebook from the college I graduated from posted a message. The message talked about the upcoming holiday season and all of the community service options available. The post ended with a question asking what everyone does for community service in their local area.

After many posts, including some that involved traveling to poor countries, I decided, almost on a whim, to post the following: "I am going to bake cinnamon rolls at the Ronald McDonald houses in Sioux Falls on Christmas morning."

A few days after Thanksgiving, I received the following Facebook message from someone I did not know but who was an alum of the same college.

"I wanted to thank you for volunteering your time on a holiday to the Ronald McDonald House in Sioux Falls. My family was provided a lovely Thanksgiving meal there last week by a couple of volunteers. It meant so much to us all that there was someone there who cared enough about a group of strangers whose child was dying to take time to comfort them. Today is our son's funeral. Thank you again for being one of those who care and share your time."

It took me about four attempts over three days to respond to the note.

I did go to both houses on Christmas morning, I was at the house near Avera McKennan by 5 AM and left the house near Sanford Hospital around 7:30 AM.

I have to say that I have had one of the most fulfilling and satisfying Christmas' in a long time. I believe that going out in the early hours to bake for others on Christmas day was a large part of why my Christmas was so fulfilling. I hope to make this a tradition every year.

Steve Hopkins

RMHC SD Volunteer