In a world where small acts of kindness can leave a profound impact, Dr. Richard McBride stands out as a shining example. Beyond his medical profession, he has dedicated his life to practicing gestures of compassion, making the lives of others a bit brighter one day at a time. One of his heartwarming endeavors involves delivering discarded flowers to nursing homes in Long Beach, California.
Dr. McBride’s life has been marked by resilience and empathy. He faced a significant challenge at the tender age of 10 when he contracted polio while swimming at The Plunge, a now-vanished bathhouse at The Pike in Long Beach. His battle against the illness was arduous, including a 106.5-degree fever and a nine-day period of unconsciousness. Medical experts had little hope for his survival, let alone walking again. Yet, through nine months of pool therapy at the Tichenor Clinic in Long Beach, he defied the odds and learned to walk anew.
Throughout his life, Dr. McBride has exemplified kindness in various forms. He and his late wife, Barbara, opened their hearts and home to more than 64 teenagers, providing them with guidance and support. They were also appointed by Pope John Paul II to represent the United States on the Pontifical Council on the Family, advocating for strong marriages and building relationships with individuals such as Mother Teresa.
Upon retiring from his successful dental practice in 2006, Dr. McBride heeded his wife’s suggestion to embark on a volunteering journey. Determined to combat hunger, a pervasive issue both nationally and globally, he joined forces with the local nonprofit Food Finders.
Food Finders, a vital participant in the Long Beach Gives campaign, operates with a dedicated staff and a network of volunteers like Dr. McBride. Their mission is to rescue perishable food items, ranging from dairy and bakery products to produce, deli items, meats, and canned goods. The term “rescue” emphasizes their commitment to preventing edible food from ending up in landfills.
Dr. McBride’s volunteering efforts involve collecting and delivering food to the Senior Center several days a week. His consistent dedication has not gone unnoticed. Diana Lara, the executive director of Food Finders Inc., praised his contributions, highlighting his involvement since August 2007.
Yet, Dr. McBride’s compassion extends beyond food rescue. During one of his routine trips to collect groceries, he noticed fresh flowers being discarded by a local market. His kind-hearted inquiry led the store to agree to include these vibrant blooms along with the essential food items he distributed.
Upon arriving at the Senior Center with his cargo of groceries and flowers, he was greeted by two enthusiastic ladies in wheelchairs. While the food provided sustenance, the flowers offered them a taste of joy and beauty, eliciting a heartwarming response.
As Dr. McBride faced physical challenges related to lifting heavy food boxes due to a shoulder injury, he turned to prayer for guidance. The answer came in the form of a thought—nursing home residents might appreciate “easy to carry” flower deliveries. Approaching a rehabilitation hospital’s management, he received their enthusiastic approval.
Today, Dr. McBride dedicates two to three days each week to delivering flowers to ten convalescent homes. His deliveries, often made alongside his volunteer partner, Kim Nguyen, a retired small business owner, never fail to bring joy to the residents. Diana Lara noted that many eagerly await his visits, gathering in the lobby on the days they know he is coming.
Dr. McBride’s simple yet profound acts of kindness serve as a heartwarming reminder of the positive impact one person can make in the lives of many. His commitment to spreading cheer through flowers continues to brighten the days of seniors in nursing homes, proving that a single gesture of kindness can bring immeasurable joy.
