A Journey from Patient to Volunteer Powerhouse

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Olivia Nguyen. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

In 2018, following a major heart surgery, Olivia Nguyen found herself recovering at a Ronald McDonald House (RMH). The comfort and community she found there left a lasting impression, transforming a difficult medical recovery into a source of lifelong inspiration. Determined to contribute to the organization that supported her, Olivia started small by launching a soda tab drive at her school. What began as a student-led initiative quickly expanded into a hands-on commitment across her area, where she now works alongside her mother to prepare balanced, home-cooked meals and desserts from scratch for families whose children are currently receiving critical medical care.

Olivia’s volunteer work is as much about the heart as it is about the hustle. Each shift involves preparing recipes from scratch, packaging and labeling individual servings… all while maintaining a sterile, professional-grade kitchen environment. However, the most vital part of her service is the connection she makes with the families. By sharing her own history as a former RMH resident, she provides a sense of familiarity and hope to those currently in the thick of their own medical struggles.

Olivia’s dedication has created a domino effect within her community. She regularly recruits friends and family to join her in the kitchen. Through Olivia, these volunteers learn that RMH is about far more than just salty treats—though she’ll be the first to admit McDonald’s fries are still her favorite snack. Her efforts have turned a personal recovery story into a recruitment tool, inspiring those around her to see RMH as a vital pillar of support for families in need and motivating them to sign up for regular service shifts.

Looking toward the future, Olivia is transitioning from a volunteer in the kitchen to a lead ambassador for the RMH mission. She recently hosted a major donor, guiding them through the meal preparation process while demonstrating the tangible, real-world impact of their financial contributions. By collaborating with the RMH fundraising director, Olivia is exploring new ways to engage with donors and share her story on a larger stage. Read on to hear more of her inspiring story.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

I started by hosting a bottle cap drive in exchange for a pizza party at my old elementary school, because RMH collects those in exchange for funds too. I love helping with their facilities. As I got older and was able to volunteer more, I started contributing to the “Feed the House” program, where I would cook food for people and their families staying here. I would also connect with the families to offer support, empathy or just someone to talk to. I always make sure to bring in friends and family to volunteer with me to widen the circle and invite people to contribute to the Ronald McDonald cause.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

It originated from staying at RMH during the recovery from my heart surgery in Chicago. I learned about all the different programs they offered, and I knew that they really supported me during my stay. So I wanted to make sure that I could contribute to the community that helped me so much and provide other people who are now going through similar things with some support too. During my stay, they did everything, from providing food for us through their feeding programs, and they even offered me a toy drone that I could play with. They had a whole toy closet to help entertain the families.

Why is this issue so important to you?

I know from my experience staying a long time at a hospital, it really takes a toll on not only your physical but also your mental health. So by cooking for the families or just volunteering in any way, I hope that I can provide at least some relief and take something off their plate. I know how stressful those times can be, and I really want the families to just focus on their recovery.

What are your long-term plans or goals with volunteering?

Recently, I hosted a donor family to show them in-person where their donations were going. We worked alongside each other, and while doing so, I was able to share my story with them so that they could see firsthand the impact of their donations. Afterwards, I had a discussion with the director of fundraising at RMHC, where we talked about how we can further expand this work on a broader scale. And that led me to propose an ambassador-style program that could potentially increase donations.

Aside from that, I also want to help spread RMH’s mission to not only donors, but also friends, families and classmates, to increase the support they get and raise awareness for both their cause and the children struggling with their health.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

It’s so rewarding getting to connect with the families and kids staying there and hearing their stories and, in turn, sharing mine. Because sharing those lived experiences heals me, and I hope it helps them to know that they’re also not alone.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

Besides learning how to make interesting recipes, I’ve learned that although no one has the exact same experiences, there’s always a shoulder to lean on when you share your experience with others. Through learning about others and just listening and connecting, it provides both sides with so much insight and benefits that you can apply to your daily life even further.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

By volunteering and directly interacting with a person-supported cause, you not only help others, but you also learn about a diverse range of people’s experiences. You learn important, real-world lessons that you couldn’t learn by yourself.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

I would just say to just do it, because it’s not only beneficial to the people you’re volunteering for, but also to you. And it can be as little or as big as you want it to be, from cooking meals at RMH to spreading awareness with close friends—so don’t let your hesitation hold you back.

Anything else want people to learn from your story?

I hope that they learn the importance of building and maintaining a good community, and that service is a two-way street. It’s important to find something you actually care about, rather than thinking of it as a chore. This mindset will help you to be more active, do better service and learn more. Which, in turn, has a more lasting impact on the community.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Olivia? Find local volunteer opportunities.