At Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Northwest Ohio, our volunteers are the heart of our mission, offering support, kindness, and a welcoming space for families facing medical crises. This Volunteer Appreciation Month, we are honored to highlight Cheri Montgomery, a dedicated volunteer whose journey with RMHC is deeply personal.
Cheri, an Operations Manager at Whetro Wealth Management for 29 years, first came to RMHC with a profound understanding of what families go through. Years ago, when her daughter Blair was hospitalized, there was no Ronald McDonald House available, leaving Cheri to sleep in a hospital conference room—an experience that was far from comfortable. Knowing firsthand how vital a warm, supportive space can be, Cheri now dedicates her time to ensuring families at RMHC have just that.
For the past two years, Cheri has been a “floater” volunteer, stepping in wherever needed—whether it’s answering phones, greeting families, organizing the pantry, preparing meals, or decorating the House for the holidays. In fact, her love of arts and crafts has made her the creative force behind the beautiful centerpieces in the family dining room, ensuring RMHC feels like a home away from home.
Cheri describes volunteering as “satisfaction”—the missing piece that fills her heart. She recalls her first Christmas volunteering at RMHC as one of her most memorable experiences, watching the joy on children’s faces when Santa and Mrs. Claus visited. But more than anything, she treasures the bonds she has formed with staff, volunteers, and families, calling RMHC a true family.
“If you’re thinking about volunteering, just take the first step,” Cheri encourages. “Cook a meal, take a tour, see the impact. We all have something in our past that we can sympathize with—this is an outlet to give back in a meaningful way.”
As Cheri looks toward retirement, she plans to dedicate even more time to RMHC, continuing to support families and be part of something bigger. “Helping others in need is my favorite part of volunteering,” she says. “It’s a privilege to do good when people need it most.”
This Volunteer Appreciation Month, we celebrate Cheri and all our incredible volunteers who make a difference every day. Interested in joining our volunteer family? Learn more at https://rmhctoledo.org/get-involved/volunteer.