When I started Heart Meter, the goal was to donate video games to children’s hospitals so that kids receiving chemo treatment had something to do to fill their time. That’s a very specific case. While the bulk of my deliveries have gone to pediatric hospitals with oncology departments, the more immersed in this I am the more opportunities I see to help in unexpected ways. This brought me to the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.

I gained the contact through Rebecca at Baby Bundles. Baby Bundles provides necessities to mothers of newborns in need. She’s a friend and somewhat of a mentor for me in getting off the ground. It was probably obvious to everyone involved in successful nonprofits that I had no idea what I was doing, so Rebecca has been one of the many people that have helped me along the way.

The Ronald McDonald House provides lodging, food, and a place to relax for out of town families of loved ones in the hospital. It’s a beautiful home filled with beautiful rooms maintained by beautiful people. Many of these families have children and teenagers. This is where I come in. Many of the games they had were outdated sports games, think MLB 2k8. I updated each of the major sports games with 2k15 versions, and threw in a few Wii games as well.

The more I do this the more amazing people I meet that introduce me to more amazing people. I’ve found it’s really important to share my story and what I’m trying to accomplish, but more on that later. In the mean time, please take the time to support the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, Baby Bundles, and maybe grab a Heart Meter t-shirt while you’re at it.