The Best Part

This week was a hectic one for my clients, the Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation. I am a nonprofit consultant and help nonprofits, such as Roy's, maximize their impact in the community by helping to raise funds, volunteering at their facility, offering business development coaching and other such skills I have acquired over the past 10 years of my life. In case you aren't familiar with him or his foundation, Roy Williams, former safety of the Dallas Cowboys, newly signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, is a humble man with heart and passion to serve children and help single mothers, as his sister, and their families. He has been running a successsful nonprofit for over four years, and if you were wondering, NO! He isn't like most athletes I know that have a "foundation" and really are just doing it for the kudos in the community or tax ease from the IRS. His heart is really in it and he cares. How do I know, just the other day he came into the office after returning from a press whirlwind in Cincinnati just to make sure yesterday, "Mother's Day" at the foundation, was perfect for the 15 women involved in his year long program.

I have been helping to no ends for the past several weeks with the behind the scene things that needed to be done in order to make the events all that they were. Day in and day out of meetings, stuffing bags with products, etc. it finally came. The weekend kicks-off with a Parent Party for the Mothers and supporters of the foundation to meet, and people can witness first hand the hard work and dedication that Mr. Williams and his staff puts in year round. After the parent's party Wednesday night, and early tee-off for the benefit Golf Classic begins Thursday morning. One day of "rest" before a jammed packed day of fun, sun, relaxation and pampering on Saturday when the RWSNF celebrates...no honors the hard-work these single mothers put in day after day, year after year. The 15 women were whisked away to a day of pampering at the spa, lunch and shopping, while we (volunteers) helped care for their children.

I'm no mother, but, I have always had the courtesy to care for children as though they were my own; Stern and disciplined, yet oozing with love. I was afforded the opportunity to care for a handsome young man, Jayden. He is the best toddler I have seen in a while. Mannersome and disciplined, he isn't one that you have to call his name more than once for him to stop or come back; yet smiling all the time and giving out his fare share of hugs, laughs and kisses. My day was vivacious and the three and a half short hours we spent together soon came to and end upon his mother's return from her day of pampering, relaxation and rest. As she exited the vehicle, tears came to her eyes when she laid eyes on her son. At first I thought it was because he is so young and she just missed him so much. She didn't say anything, just tears and kisses. As we loaded Jayden and the gifts she received from the day into the car, and after I shared the excitement and fun time Jayden and I had, she grabbed me and hugged me thanking me for taking care of Jayden the way I did. To me, I interpreted it as, her sincere thanks for taking care of him as though she had never left.

It pulled on my heart strings a little, and especially more today as I sit and reflect what that hug signified...respect, love and utter thanks for caring for the most precious, valuable thing in this world to her...Jayden.

Although when I got home I was completely exhausted, the best part of my day out weighed the exhaustion and reminded me of why I do what I do. Her sincerity and thanks was worth more than gold and the best part of my day is what makes me continue to support the Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation through volunteering, raising funds and positive affirmation of what God laid on Roy's heart to do.

Consider helping out by donating as well. http://www.roywilliamssafetynet.org/ Help him help others!