The Sanctuary Resort asked us to help out with an idea for the Ronald McDonald House. Bill Lacey, Sanctuary Director of Operations (that's him in the left photo with Sanctuary Housekeeping Director Anna Glac) decided to turn the House into a 5 Star Resort for the day. What a great concept. As everybody knows, The Sanctuary is a 5 Star, 5 Diamond resort on Kiawah Island. They really do it right out there, and I find their focus and standards very inspiring. When they asked us to provide the flowers for their 5-Star Ronald McDonald House, well it was a slam dunk.

Every knows what great work the RM House does in providing a comfortable, home-like setting for families eduring long hospital stays. Located across from our Medical University of SC Children's Hospital, it is unfortunately a very busy place.

Bill asked us to participate and of course we said "yes". So late last week, during a very busy, hectic day at the shop, Gayla and I snuck over to the RM House to get an idea of colors and decor. Talk about a reality check. We were wrapped up in our production schedule, ringing telephones and mounting emails, but seeing families taking a break from a hospital vigil with a snack and a nap really hit us hard. I've got two kids, and like all dads I would walk through fire rather than see them hurt or sick. Gayla and I both felt humbled and fortunate.

So we made some nice arrangements for the lobby and each guest room. The RM House was in full holiday decor, so we created our first Christmas designs of the year for them. That's a picture of Taylor posing with The Big Guy while delivering one of our centerpieces. Ronald's the one on the right.

Bill, Anna and a large Sanctuary volunteer staff made the house look great. White linen tableclothes, doorman, full 5-Star buffet complete with uniformed servers, they even provided spa massages for guests!

Hopefully, we made their day a little brighter. I don't want to get preachy, but if you can make the time or have a few extra bucks, there are a lot of good folks out there who could use a little comfort.