Students looking for volunteer work will find many opportunities at the Ronald McDonald House.
According to www.rmhclubbock.com, The Ronald McDonald House, located near University Medical Center on Indiana Avenue, provides a safe haven for families of critically ill children who are receiving treatment in local hospitals. More than 500 families are served by the house each year.
The RMDH has many different volunteering opportunities available for students. Dina Jeffries, Volunteer Coordinator, said the House is always in need of more volunteers to assist with office duties, fundraisers, act as greeters and receptionists, and many other duties.
She said that the 30,000 volunteers put in about 5,000 of service each week.
Brandy Peyatt, a senior business major from Humble, volunteered at the RMDH for a business class.
“For my Organizational Behavior class, we did a project involving the House,” she said. “We were required to raise money for a non-profit organization. My group and I were assigned to the House.”
Peyatt said that she volunteered at the House several days a week and, even though she has completed the class, she still enjoys volunteering there.
“It really opened my eyes to see that there are places out there that really need volunteers,” she said. “Plus, the volunteer hours always look good on a resume when you are looking for a job.”
Peyatt said that she was assigned to various duties at the House.
“I was a volunteer, so basically whatever they needed done, I did it,” said Peyatt. “I spent a lot of time in the office greeting families and directing phone calls. I also helped with dinners and other errands around the house.”
Jessica Tuttle, a junior early childhood major from Kempner, said that she enjoys volunteering at the RMDH.
“Being an early childhood major, I’m around kids all the time,” she said. “And going over to the house gives me the opportunity to help those kids and families that really need it.”
Tuttle said that she does not get to spend as much time at the RMDH as she would like due to her work and school schedule.
“I try to get to the House as much as possible,” she said. “I know that they are very appreciative of what the volunteers do and they are always needing extra help.”
Jeffries said that many previous volunteers have moved away from the Lubbock area, but continue to volunteer at other branches of the Ronald McDonald House.
According to www.rmhclubbock.com, the Lubbock Ronald McDonald House opened the doors to the first family on March 10, 1988. There are now seventeen bedrooms, a family room at UMC, and a mobile unit arriving Spring 2007.
photo credit: rhmcsouthwest.com