Sporting aprons and chef hats, the R+M crew greased and floured, sifted and stirred, poured and baked homemade cupcakes for the families at the Ronald McDonald House of Durham & Wake last month. As volunteer pastry chefs, we helped the house feel like a home, providing sweet comfort to families with seriously ill children.

Our team had so much fun welcoming families home with 78 freshly baked, frosted and decorated cupcakes (including 42 chocolate and 36 vanilla). We even whipped up scratch-made icing (including enough butter for an Iowan acre of corn. You’re welcome, Lien). The real test of craftsmanship came when we broke out the piping bags, sprinkles and food dye – putting our creative skills to the test with individual cupcake designs and decorations. You can tell some of us are a little more masterful at this than others, but all decorating was done with love. Of course, we spent plenty of time prepping, and Susan shared some resources for the appropriate way to frost a cupcake (the dollop in the middle makes all the difference).

This delicious day of giving was part of R+M’s year-round #GivingGoodness movement, launched in 2014 in concurrence with R+M’s B Corp certification. Over the last few years, we’ve spread Christmas cheer at The Salvation Army, packed lunches for The Raleigh Rescue Mission, collected supplies for hurricane victims, decorated Kindness Rocks, and more. To us, #GivingGoodness is really a way of being, rather than any individual or series of actions. Through the movement, R+M aims to inspire conversations and actions focused on giving throughout the year.

The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Durham & Wake holds a special place in our hearts. Located less than one mile from Duke Children’s Hospital, the Durham House welcomes 55 families each night, offering a comforting “home away from home” and a community of support for seriously ill or injured children and their families. To learn more about team-oriented volunteer opportunities like R+M’s day of #GivingGoodness, or how you can personally get involved, visit the RMH of Durham & Wake’s website.

And don’t forget to follow the #GivingGoodness movement on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter at #GivingGoodness and #RMGivingGoodness. We’d love to see how you make #GivingGoodness part of your daily way of living too, so be sure to tag us in any of your awesome acts of kindness, philanthropy or volunteering as well.