It’s been a month since my father-in-law had his stroke and we’ve certainly spent a lot of time in hospitals over the last few weeks. On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit a hospital for a happy reason thanks to my partnership with Toyota. In celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th, Toyota sent over $2,500 for me to purchase some items American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, WI was needing and provided me the stylish Sienna minivan to use for shopping and delivery. (Thank goodness it is super roomy when you take the seats out because Josh and I did a LOT of shopping and filled it up!)
Many times when families come to Children’s Hospital, the kids wind up needing to be admitted and the adults may not have the toiletries needed for a comfortable overnight stay. The hospital asked for toothbrushes, travel sized toothpaste and travel sized deodorant. We hit up all of our local Walgreens in pursuit of these items. While we were shopping at a Walgreen’s in West Bend, the cashier casually asked us what we were shopping for. When we told her, she shared that she used to work at the associated Ronald McDonald House and how she knew these items would be such a blessing to many. She pulled us aside and asked if she could contribute some travel shampoos to the stash. We loved that idea and agreed to meet up the following morning. Turns out she had amassed over 100! (She is an avid couponer.) We loved that we now had even more to give.
The hospital was also looking for toys for a number of their different departments. We had a blast searching out sensory toys that could easily be disinfected (no plush toys or characters) and laughed as they started playing their various tunes and noises as we drove around. We keep adding more and more to the pile, amazed at how far we were able to stretch the money we had with a little savvy shopping.
Lastly, we were able to pick up a bunch of small denomination gift cards for the hospital to gift as prizes and birthday surprises. While I felt bad for the cashier who had to ring up a huge stack of gift cards for $5 each, the customers in line behind us assured us they didn’t mind one bit once they heard what it was going for. Everyone was so excited to hear about how Toyota was helping us to provide these blessings to American Family Children’s Hospital! Hopefully we inspired a few of them to go bestow some random acts of kindness as well.
When delivery day came, I headed out to meet up with the hospital representatives and deliver both the supplies we had picked up AND an additional $2,500 donation from Toyota. I chuckled hearing them ohhh and ahhh as they spotted different toys they knew the kids would love. I actually got a bit teary as I drove away. I loved having the opportunity to participate in such a generous act of kindness on Toyota’s part and cannot express enough how much joy their donations are going bring to both kids and parents facing what may very well be one of the hardest times in their lives. While we all can’t execute big, grand gestures like this everyday, we certainly can do small random acts of kindness when presented the opportunity. Help a frazzled mom load her groceries into the car, let another person cut in front of you in line, pay for the coffee of the person behind you at the drive thru – do what you can to spread some kindness in the world.
I want to give one last huge thank you to Toyota for partnering with me on this campaign. I was thrilled to be a part of something that is going to do so much for so many and loved every minute of the shopping and delivery! This will definitely go down as one of my favorite campaigns to work on!!
Melissa Chapman says
It is so great that you are supporting that hospital in an active way. I love Toyota as a brand and have one so it is good to know they are giving back.
Jeanine says
I love this! Supporting hospitals and giving is the best way to give back!toyota is a wonderful brand and knowing they too give back is pretty awesome!
Monica says
I can’t love this enough. It’s so wonderful to see you using your platform for social good. So many lives must have been touched! Adore this story.
Stacie says
I love that you got out there and made a difference in the lives of people on a real, personal level. I think we need more of that in the world these days.
robin rue says
How wonderful of Toyota to do this. I LOVE when companies give back like this.
Danielle Smith says
That is such an amazing thing Toyota did for American Family Children’s Hospital! That Sienna does look very stylish and roomy!
Amy D says
What a great project on Toyota’s part. That’s so sweet that the cashier offered to help out too. I love the idea of doing small random acts of kindness.
Christie says
I love when companies pay it forward like this! Especially for children’s causes! Not only does Toyota make great automobiles, their commitment to children’s health truly shows they’re a great company!
Dogvills says
How awesome! I love that you and Toyota were able to make this happen and bring some sunshine to the kids at the hospital. It is such a timely reminder for us, especially at this time, to spread kindness every day. I try my best to do so too. Every tiny bit can create a ripple effect.
Shell says
What an awesome thing to get to be a part of! The hospital and the kids had to have been thrilled!
AnnMarie John says
What a lovely thing to do for the kids who are staying at AFCH. It’s such an awesome initiative that encourages people to do good things. Kudos to Toyota and you for this!
brianne says
Wow this is incredible, go Toyota! And bravo to you for spreading such incredible acts of kindness.
Kelly Reci says
I love it when companies as big as Toyota can get behind such important causes. And wow, check out all that trunk space in your van. I’ll have to look into getting a Sienna!
Sara Welch says
I love seeing people like you actually make a difference. And kudos to Toyota for getting out and doing things.
Heather says
What an amazing experience that must have been. I’m sure the patients and their families were so thankful for your donations. Santa has a sleigh, but your ride is better!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
What a great campaign! Glad you were able to do such an amazing act of kindness with your blog. 😀
Kiwi says
This is such a great collaboration and initiative that you did with Toyota. I bet the people really appreciated this at the hospital.
Heather says
Ah! That’s such a wonderful thing you and Toyota did! I find it refreshing that businesses are doing this. I was in the hospital as a child and my other ended up staying at a Ronald McDonald house because we weren’t local to the Shriner’s hospital so I can attest to these things being needed.
Paris says
I love this! What an amazing opportunity that Toyota and you had to give to the American Family Childrens Hospital.
Kelly Reci says
You guys are so inspiring. I love what you did. I always thought of the same way. If I’d get a chance I will do the same thing.
Cindy Gordon says
This is a really amazing opportunity ti show people how much you care. These children really need all the help we can muster.
Cindy Orley says
We use to have a Sienna and loved it! I love that Toyota gives back to the community and that you had the pleasure of helping a local hospital!
Cindy Ingalls says
How amazing. I know all of these toys and toiletries are going to make a huge difference to the families who kids are in the hospital.
lex says
nice way to reachout to kids, and thankful to Toyota for the help in doing this. nice one.