In 1982, the first Ronald McDonald House opened in Columbus. Since then, the Ronald McDonald House has grown into an important part of the Central Ohio community by offering resources to families with children facing medical challenges. We have summarized an interview with Ryan Wilkins, Director, Community Relations & Marketing for the Ronald McDonald House.
What is the goal of the Ronald McDonald House?
“We want to be a home away from home for families with children who are hospitalized,” said Wilkins. The focus should be on the hospitalized children, not where the families will stay and eat.
How does the Ronald McDonald House help?
The Ronald McDonald House itself is the primary program. It offers shelter for families if they have a child or children in the hospital. The shelter provides meals, and has 80 rooms – making it the second-largest Ronald McDonald House in the world.
The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile travels to areas that do not have access to healthcare. The Ronald McDonald Mobile also delivers health education, provides a wide range of services and also helps families get access to care with a doctor or dentist.
What kinds of volunteer opportunities are available?
There are many volunteer opportunities at the Ronald McDonald House. You can bake, do laundry, clean and work special events or any of the following:
House Warmers do work inside the Ronald McDonald House, such as checking families into the house, answering phones and other activities that make the Ronald McDonald House welcoming to visiting families.
Craftsman and landscaping volunteers offer specific services, such as plumbing, painting, heavy-lifting and others, and offer their time and service to the Ronald McDonald House.
There are also more group-oriented opportunities. For example, you can set up a group and make a meal for families in the Ronald McDonald House.
How can someone provide a meal for the Ronald McDonald House?
Groups that wish to provide a meal for families at the Ronald McDonald House bring their own ingredients and prepare the meal at the house. There is a lot of personal interaction with the families involved, so you can really see the difference you make when providing meals. Meals generally serve around 100 people.
What are wish lists?
Wish lists are a service provided by the Ronald McDonald House. Wish lists are updated on a monthly basis, and are lists of necessary items needed in homes. During holidays, special wish lists are made. “We’re finding staple needs at the Ronald McDonald House that we ask the community to buy for us,” said Wilkins.
What kinds of events does the Ronald McDonald House sponsor?
The Ronald McDonald House has five major fundraisers, with AToast to Tinseltown being the next scheduled major fundraiser on April 9. A Toast to Tinseltown is a red carpet event where people can have cocktails and enjoy the final regular-season Blue Jackets game. A post-game, on-ice party will be held after the game.
Other fundraisers include the biggest golf-outing in Central Ohio – the Ronald McDonald House Gold Classic, Dig It for the House – a volleyball outing, Paint the Town Center Red – a shopping adventure – and the annual Sporting Clays Tournament.
Companies can also name rooms in the Ronald McDonald House.
How important are donations?
“We’re completely dependent on the generosity of individual,” said Wilkins. “Without donations, we wouldn’t exist. We have a lot of donations that make small donations that add up to a lot.”
Every donation counts. Donations can be made online, checks can be sent, or even donate at local McDonald’s restaurants – visit the website at the bottom of this post for more information on donations.
Common donations range from $20 to $100. It generally costs around $100 per night to operate one room at the Ronald McDonald House, and only $20 is asked of families (but not required) who stay at the Ronald McDonald House.
How important are partnerships?
“We’re definitely relying upon the support of the local business community and corporate sponsors,” Wilkins said. “We have great support for the local community, but we’re always looking for more.”
Being a non-profit organization, the Ronald McDonald House relies on donations and sponsors to keep helping the community.
How does it make you feel to have such a positive impact on the community?
“I personally wake up every morning excited to make a difference in the lives of people who are probably facing the most challenging times of their lives,” Wilkins said. “We try to take away as much stress as possible, giving them a comfortable place to live. It’s a great feeling and we know we’re making a profound impact on these families.”
What does the Ronald McDonald House mean to the community?
“It’s an invaluable service,” Wilkins said. “We’re basically a support system to local healthcare. We help people in the community who are thrown into a challenge. We have people coming from all different backgrounds under the common bond of having a child sick in the hospital.”
For more information about in-house volunteer opportunities, contact Heidi Drake at 614-227-1107, or by email at heidi.drake@rmhc-centralohio.org.
For more information about special events, contact Jamie Foltz at 614-227-3740, or by email at jamie.foltz@rmhc-centralohio.org.
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