We are celebrating National Volunteer Appreciation Week and saluting all our volunteers who make a difference every day for our families.

Ashley Mast

Volunteering at our Ronald McDonald House near Egleston has made Ashley Mast “more grateful — grateful that there are these Houses all over the country for families in tough situations who need a home away from home.”

“I’m grateful to see the generosity of organizations, families and individuals who show up time-after-time to make dinner or lead the kids in a craft or drop off much-needed food items,” Ashley says.

Ashley starting volunteering regularly about five years ago but before that or “many moons ago” as she says, she learned about Ronald McDonald House Charities through her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, at Georgia Institute of Technology.

“That’s where I first experienced the ‘joy of service’ and I remember going with my friends to the original house on Houston Mill Road before this new facility was built,” she recalls. “When our youngest started school I wanted to be able to plug in somewhere that needed help — so this was the first place I thought of.”

Ashley loves helping to organize Ronald’s Holiday Workshop for the families because it allows her to “imagine the kids coming through to pick their gifts. So many wonderful things are donated by generous people and various corporations and it’s just the most magical room in the place!”

She also remembers meeting a former family who came back to donate to the pantry and Wish List. “It was moving to hear their story of staying there a few years ago with their child and to witness their excitement about returning to help fill the needs of current families.”

Her favorite tasks center around easing the workload of staff because “they have SO much to do and are serving so many needs, especially since the pandemic. Getting to know the staff has been a sweet bonus — just great people,” Ashley says. “They are always very organized so it’s easy to jump in and tackle several projects. I enjoy making goodie bags for new families, stocking and organizing the kitchen and writing thank you letters to donors.”