Being a member of Alpha Delta Pi, I am pretty passionate about our philanthropy. I love children and I love to help people, so being able to go help the families at the Ronald McDonald House is a huge blessing.

What is the Ronald McDonald House? RMH is a cooperation that serves as a "home-away-from-home" for families with children who are seriously ill. RMH takes anyone ranging from newborn babies up to the age 21 and they also have houses that can be found in 62 countries and regions worldwide. The purpose of The Ronald McDonald House is to temporarily home these families at a low price also, for when they have to travel to area hospitals to receive the medical treatment that they need. RMH provides families to stay at a place that actually feels like a home and gives them the opportunity to still be with their child, as they go through their tough times together. The children make best friends at the houses they stay at and the parents get to meet other parents who are bearing the same burdens; it makes them feel less alone.

The beautiful thing about The Ronald McDonald House, is the unconditional love you feel when you walk through the doors. It's an instant sense of warmth, comfort, and seeing the smiles of the sweet kids that stay there makes it even more merrier. As a member in Alpha Delta Pi, we make regular visits to our local RMH and we get to see first hand what all of our hard work and philanthropy events go to. It's not just another check we send out, it's physical proof that we are changing lives. A gallon of pop-tabs allows a family to stay one night in the Ronald McDonald House, for FREE! Now, do you understand why ADPI's collect them religiously? Doing something as simple as collecting the tabs from your cans can help a family in need. How cool is that? My chapter alone raised over $10,000 in the past year for the Ronald McDonald House in Houston. By hosting a "Ronald Week," a week devoted to raising money for our philanthropy and because of our hard work, the house in Houston built an education room with the money we donated. This allows teachers to come in and tutor the kids with their schoolwork and help them stay up to date with their studies.

What I love so much about volunteering at RMH is seeing how happy the kids are when we come and love on them. Whether it's arts and crafts or playing with the ball, it's pure joy. The parents of the children are so appreciative of everything we do and seeing their tear-filled eyes when they see how passionate we are about this charity is such an amazing reward. There's so much going on in their lives. So many doctor visits, so many treatments, so many long days of waiting for results. It is such a happy thing for them to see us come play with them.

The Ronald McDonald House changes lives. There's no simpler way to put it. Not only does it change the lives of the families staying there, but it changes the lives of the people volunteering there. It is such a humbling experience and reminds you that even though life is tough, it doesn't mean you can't smile and be grateful for what you have. I know the children really love us and look up to us, but little do they know it's really us that look up to them. Through seeing the warriors living in the house, through hearing all the little kiddos genuine laughs, and through hearing all of the families testimonies. Ronald McDonald House has changed my life. It has taught me to love wholly and intentionally, because that's what RMH is all about.