By Dee Dee Ebert, Volunteer Services Manager

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the volunteers at our two Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Room. Our volunteers mean the world to us and help our families so much throughout their journeys.

The Novelis Meal Group volunteers at both Ronald McDonald Houses and provides a tremendous service for our families.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our Houses. However, due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, it was necessary to temporarily cancel all volunteers, meal and activity groups to ensure the safety of our families, volunteers and staff.

This new reality has been exceptionally challenging since our staff is small and why volunteers are so vital to our daily operations. Normally, the meal groups plan, prepare and serve dinner every night for our families. In addition, the breakfast, brunch, Bakers’ and Casserole Clubs provide meals and snacks throughout the year.

Recently, these groups have made tremendous sacrifices in now catering individual meals for our families. In response, we’ve had hundreds of individually boxed meals delivered to both Houses. Not only are these meals nourishing to the body, they’ve gone a long way in lifting the spirits of our families after long, difficult days at the hospital.

In the midst of these turbulent times, it’s my honor to recognize and thank the countless individuals who selflessly invest in the lives of others. I am inspired by the outpouring of compassion and humanity demonstrated by our volunteers who do so much every day to bring help and hope to our families when they need it most.

One of our many Baker’s Club members, who during normal times, would be baking sweet treats for our families at both Ronald McDonald Houses.