2012 Volunteer Dinner

As if the Fabulous Fifties weren’t amazing enough, we got to relive them last week! We donned our poodle skirts, bouffant hairdo’s, and lettermen jackets to celebrate our volunteers.

It’s one of our most favorite celebrations because we get to honor the people the give so much of themselves to ensure our house runs smoothly. We applauded our front desk receptionists that spend so much of their time listening to our families. We gave kudos to our event volunteers who show up over and over again to help us with our fundraisers. We praised our meal volunteers who slave over our stoves to give our families a taste of home with their comfort foods. We commended our sibling program helpers who spend hours playing games or doing arts and crafts with our siblings so they don’t feel left out while their brothers and sisters are in the hospital.

It was a fantastic evening so of course we had to capture some of our favorite moments! Hope you enjoy.

Volunteers Whippin’ Up a Meal

A warm meal brightens everyone up, right?

We have a few groups dedicated to providing that touch of home each month. Volunteers from Cargill, 7^th Day Adventist Church, Naval Air Station Lemoore, The Rock as well as individuals like; Ron Flores, Judy Krogstad, Anna Laurel (and others) bring enough food to feed 40 people, once a month. Other groups and individuals help when they can, making every meal a huge success.

Sharing a meal with someone is a universal sign of community and comfort, and here at the Ronald McDonald House of the Central Valley we LOVE to eat! Our families can count on these warm meals, giving them a chance to relax from their difficult days. We’ve had everything from tri-tip, pasta, Mexican food, a pancake breakfast and good old American hamburgers.

The groups spend their afternoons buying ingredients for the house, preparing, cooking and then carefully delivering the piping hot meal- right on time. The whole house fills with the aroma of a meal cooked by mom; the sweet smell of cinnamon when pancakes start to fluff up on the griddle, the tang of BBQ floats up and remind us of childhood summers with our siblings and cousins, and a fresh burst of cilantro, garlic and onions on taco night brings everyone to the table.

Providing a meal doesn’t just mean preparing food and delivering it; it’s also a chance for the volunteers to sit with the families. Eating together in our huge dining room families pass around the salsa, give each other the ketchup, laugh, talk and help clean up after. Our volunteers get the chance to sit down and eat too, if they’d like, which helps them understand just how much good they’re doing. Our families are dealing with the illness of their child and coming back to our House with a warm meal ready for their families, is the greatest gift of all. Getting to know our families, their endurance, hope and courage over a warm meal, makes everyone feel full and happy.

If you’d like to become a volunteer chef, we’d love that! Email Janie@ronald-mcdonaldhouse.com today.

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National Volunteer Month Celebration

Volunteers have always been a foundational part of the Ronald McDonald Houses. Without them our house wouldn’t be able to operate, or serve as many families. Giving is something that defines our volunteers; they’re shining when they walk in the front door and gratified when they walk out. Helping other people feels so good, some of our volunteers say they’re addicted to it!  For the month of April we’ll be featuring different volunteers and groups we’re lucky to have. The people that dedicate time to serve us are another part of the Ronald McDonald House family, and another reason why this home away from home is a success.

Stay tuned