by Adam Simpson | Apr 21, 2023 | News, Volunteer Spotlight
Ronald McDonald House Charities volunteers make all the difference in the lives of families – cooking, hosting, nurturing, or simply being there to help in any way they can. Volunteers make a big difference, helping to offset costs that can be put back into programs and services for sick children and their families.
One volunteer who provides meals for families staying at RMHC is Melissa Regalado. Melissa began volunteering at RMHC of NW Ohio in 2016, but Melissa and her family have been connected to RMHC for much longer.
“My cousin’s kidneys shut down, and she was life-flighted to RMHC Ann Arbor,” says Melissa. “They (RMHC Ann Arbor) took care of my cousin and family, and ever since, we knew we wanted to give back to RMHC.” Melissa’s family has stayed true to that. “My mom taught us the importance of giving back. She has been cooking meals on Christmas Eve for over 15 years,” says Melissa.
Volunteers who provide meals for our families are integral in making our House a home away from home during their children’s treatment and recovery process.
“I started doing it once a month, but I just could not get enough. Now I cook meals twice a week,” mentions Melissa. Rarely is Melissa alone in the process. Melissa works as an Independent Provider, providing services to clients with disabilities. Melissa is also occasionally joined by her daughter, Melicia, and client, David.
“I like to help my mom cook and bake here. I like getting meals ready and giving back to the people because God wants me to do that,” said Melicia.
Melicia Regalado, daughter of Melissa
David has been volunteering at RMHC for five years. He enjoys cleaning and preparing meals for families.
David, volunteer at RMHC of NW Ohio
What’s the secret to Melissa’s amazing meals? Comfort.
“Homecooked meals mean a lot to the families staying here,” mentions Melissa. “I love to make chicken fajitas, baked spaghetti, soups, salads, or anything else comforting.”
One of the amazing meals the Regalado family made for dinner.
If you are considering becoming a volunteer, Melissa has some advice. “Just do it! It’s great to help others, and it’s gratifying and humbling. This is a wonderful organization. When families stay here, they do not need to worry about anything except caring for their loved ones.”
Volunteers are crucial to the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. If you are interested in volunteering individually or as a group, please get in touch with Wendy Bejaige at wendy@rmhctoledo.org or call 419-471-HOME (4663).
by Adam Simpson | Apr 10, 2023 | News, Volunteer Spotlight
Carole Petersen, RMHC volunteer
When someone comes through the doors of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northwest Ohio, often, the first thing they see is a friendly and smiling face. Carole Petersen is a RMHC of NW Ohio volunteer who began volunteering in July 2022.
Carole had a long career in HR, and upon retirement, she knew she wanted to give back, specifically to an organization that benefits children and families. She knew about RMHC and its services, as her older sister used Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.
There are several different ways volunteers can support RMHC of NW Ohio. Volunteers can work as House refreshers, lobby attendants, make meals for families at RMHC, and work special events.
As a volunteer, Carole is willing to do anything asked of her! Tasks she performs include preparing meals, doing laundry, organizing, cleaning, and her main focus being a lobby attendant. At the front desk, Carole is a welcoming face to anyone walking through the doors of RMHC of NW Ohio.
Before coming to Toledo, Carole volunteered in Milwaukee for some time at a shelter for mothers and children, where she learned that the best thing you can do is listen.
“My favorite part about volunteering is listening to families,” Carole explains. “Smiling and encouragement go a long way. Many are far away from family and friends. It feels good to get a smile out of someone walking through the door.”
Carole Petersen, cleaning RMHC
Why does Carole volunteer? “I have a soft spot for children. My life is blessed. I look around and see situations and struggles. If there is just a little bit I can do to help, I want to do it,” Carole says.
Shelby Feeney, a Family Services Manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio, appreciates Carole volunteering at RMHC. “Carole is the best! It’s nice to have a volunteer like Carole who will go out of her way to talk and listen to a family. She can read the room and be approachable to people in their time of need,” says Shelby.
Volunteers are crucial to the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. If you are interested in volunteering individually or as a group, please get in touch with Wendy Bejaige at wendy@rmhctoledo.org or call 419-471-HOME (4663).
by Adam Simpson | Apr 3, 2023 | News, Volunteer Spotlight
Pictured left to right – Davon Brown, Bethany Parker, Bianca Martinez, Christine Arvay
Whitmer High School students have been making a difference at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio for nearly ten years! The Career Tech program at Whitmer High School has a Job Training class that juniors and seniors can apply for. This class gives students an opportunity to learn job skills, communication skills, and other skills so they can be successful after high school.
Students in the Job Training class volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio twice weekly during the school year. Performing tasks such as cleaning, organizing, decorating, and sometimes cooking!
Bianca Martinez is a senior at Whitmer High School who loves volunteering at RMHC of NW Ohio. “I like volunteering at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio because it allows me to try new things, experience Toledo, and help others,” says Bianca. When asked why others should volunteer, Bianca told us that “Everyone should give back and help others because it makes people happy.”
Bianca Martinez, senior at Whitmer High School
Bianca is not the only one in this class, as other classmates volunteer with her at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio.
Davon Brown is a junior at Whitmer High School who enjoys learning work skills and helping families at RMHC. “The job training and volunteering help me learn work skills. My favorite part about volunteering is my jobs and work, knowing that I am helping others,” says Davon. “It’s nice knowing that the safe and clean environment we help provide supports others in need.”
Davon Brown, junior at Whitmer High School
Bethany Parker, a junior at Whitmer High School, joins Bianca and Davon in the Job Training class. “I like the Job Training class and volunteering because it gives us a chance to get out of the school and give back,” says Bethany. “It feels good to give back and help others. You never know when you may need the help”.
Bethany Parker, junior at Whitmer High School
The Job Training students are instructed by their Job Coach, Christine Arvay, who has been with Whitmer High School for 14 years. “For us, we just want our students to be able to gain the skills that will help them later in life while giving back,” says Christine Arvay. “RMHC has been a great friend and partner to Whitmer High School.”
Volunteers are crucial to the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. If you are interested in volunteering individually or as a group, please contact Wendy Bejaige at wendy@rmhctoledo.org or call 419-471-HOME (4663).
by Adam Simpson | May 2, 2022 | News, Volunteer Spotlight
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio expanded its presence to area hospitals with our Hospitality Suite in 2019. The goal of the Hospitality Suite is to keep families closer together. It’s staffed for four hours a day to allow parents and loved ones to stay within arms-length of their child.
Meet Elaine, one of the volunteers at our Hospitality Suite at the ProMedica Children’s Hospital. Elaine has been a volunteer with RMHC of NW Ohio for over a year. She is a stay-at-home-mom with a passion for volunteering.
Some of Elaine’s duties at the Hospitality Suite include: making coffee, cleaning, restocking the snacks and being a friendly face for families.
“Being there to support families is a big part of volunteering at the Hospitality Suite,” says Elaine. “Having someone for parents to talk to that is not a medical person, gives parents a chance to clear their head and refresh.”
RMHC of NW Ohio currently has two volunteers for the Hospitality Suite, however, we are looking for more volunteers.
“Everyone should volunteer. It’s wonderful to be able to support someone in their time of need and the medical staff” says Elaine.
To donate goods or to volunteer at the Hospitality Suite, contact Wendy@rmhctoledo.org.
by Adam Simpson | Apr 11, 2022 | News, Volunteer Spotlight
Deric (Vaughn) Bolden is a volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northwest Ohio. He has been volunteering at RMHC for a little more than a year and has a passion for giving back and helping others.
Vaughn’s story is one of redemption.
Prior to volunteering at RMHC, Vaughn was going through a dark period of his life. Checking himself into rehab, Vaughn has now come out of rehab more than two years sober. “When I was in that period of my life, I realized that when I become in a better place, I have to do the right thing and give back to others” says Vaughn. Seeing commercials for RMHC, Vaughn picked up the phone and was eager to volunteer at the House.
While each volunteer at RMHC has specific tasks that they work on, Vaughn is a jack-of-all-trades. Some of his tasks are cleaning, answering calls and maintaining the front desk and “doing anything asked of him”.
While not volunteering at RMHC, Vaughn is an author and artist. He has written two children’s books and has painted a beautiful piece of art displayed in the playroom. His children’s books titled “Benny in the Race” teaches children to stay motivated and never give up, while “A Boy Named Hero” is a story about a kid with a disability who is bullied and becomes a superhero who helps others with disabilities. The piece of art that Vaughn created for the playroom is shown below.
When asked about what advice Vaughn would give to others on volunteering, he says, “It’s a great choice to give back to others and do something that is bigger than yourself.” Vaughn told us that volunteering has taught him to be mindful of others. “Some people may be having the worst day of their life. It really puts everything into perspective and teaches you that life may not be as bad as you think.”
Volunteers at RMHC of NW Ohio are crucial to our organization’s impact on families. To volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio, please contact Wendy Bejaige at wendy@rmhctoledo.org.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio is a finalist for the “Best Place To Volunteer” in the Toledo Area Parent News 2021 Family Favorite Awards. To vote for RMHC, click HERE.
by Adam Simpson | Mar 30, 2022 | News, Volunteer Spotlight
Mike Grames is a volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northwest Ohio where he focuses on baking for families. Since his retirement nearly 13 years ago, volunteering has been a part of his life. He spent eight years volunteering for the Toledo Area Humane Society and has been volunteering at RMHC for the past four-plus years.
Every year, millions of pounds of pull tabs are donated to RMHC to fund the pantry.
“My interest in volunteering began when I was dropping off pull tabs and noticed that they (RMHC) were in need of someone to volunteer to bake/cook,” says Mike. “Initially it was just holidays, but I guess they liked my baking and asked me to come in twice a week.”
Every week, Mike is at RMHC on Tuesday and Friday to bake goods for families.
“If I can make cookies, brownies or anything else that provides a couple minutes of enjoyment for families that are going through a difficult time, then my goal is accomplished” explains Mike. Mike says he doesn’t have any favorites among his goodies but a quick poll of the staff indicated that his Almond Joy cookies are No. 1.
Volunteers are always needed at RMHC for different tasks.
Wendy Bejaige, Director of Operations, says that “Mike is always eager to help. Whether it’s coming in to bake for holidays or parties, he always has a smile on his face and is willing to do more.” For example, Bejaige cited a 15-year-old was at RMHC with her family, and Mike took the time to teach her how to bake during his free time.
If you’re considering volunteering, Mike wants you to know that “If you have the time, means and ability, there is nothing like helping others. What you get back is way more than what you give.”
To volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio, please contact Wendy Bejaige at wendy@rmhctoledo.org.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio is a finalist for the “Best Place To Volunteer” in the Toledo Area Parent News 2021 Family Favorite Awards. To vote for RMHC, click HERE.
Recent Comments