In the late 1980s I attended a birthday party with my children in Glebe, the birthday girl was Kylie, a young student nurse who worked as a Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House at Camperdown. Kylie’s birthday was celebrated amongst the families and children at the House. On that evening I was introduced to the world of Ronald McDonald House and its volunteers. I met parents and children who spoke of the magnificent care and support that Virginia and the House provided, complimented so beautifully by the volunteers.
In 1991, I became the first House Manager of the Randwick House my role complimented once again by a small staff of 2, Amber and Ana Maria and our treasured Volunteers.
Volunteers who made up every thread and fabric of the House; Board members, overnight volunteers, cleaners, cooks, gardeners, writers, photographers, fundraisers, dancers, clowns, face painters, entertainers, makers of cups of tea; every one of them making a difference to the families every day.
There is not a single Ronald McDonald House or Family Room in the world that operates without the help of Volunteers.
We can never underestimate the hours of work and the enormous contribution that the volunteers make in the House and the Family Rooms. The gratitude of the families is sometimes unspoken in times of stress and uncertain times however many families look back on their times at the House and remember the love and support of the Volunteers, and the children remember the games and the fun.
It was a privilege to work at “Ronnie Mac’s”, as many parents called the House. Over the years I met many extraordinarily brave people, little children who showed enormous courage, those who saw a funny side of just about every situation. The House often created its own atmosphere of fun and laughter because the children knew it was a safe place to be, children live in the moment, so every moment counts.
An example of the trust and love that children have for the House was highlighted for me many times. An example was, some children would arrive for their stays and treatment, walk into the House and shout, ‘Hi we’re Home’.
Another example is, once we were approached by a major TV channel wishing to highlight the treatment at Sydney Children’s Hospital. I was keen for the Ronald McDonald House to get a mention during the segment, so I asked the child’s father, David, to mention the House and where he was staying with his little son Ryan, and for fun I promised him a slab of beer if his comments went to air. The next day in the Hospital the filming and subsequent treatment began, little Ryan was held firmly during some uncomfortable procedures; he cried and struggled throughout the treatment.
When the program went to air, the treating doctor described the procedure for the camera and as he stopped to think, little Ryan aged 4 shouted at the top of his voice, ‘stop stop stop, let me go, I want to go back to Ronald McDonald House’.
Needless to say I had to buy the beer! Ryan unprompted had helped send out our message that the Ronald McDonald House was a safe and very special place to be for a little person.
As a Volunteer now I am blessed to meet the families and their children as they pass through the Family Room, we can step into their shoes for just a moment and feel grateful for the opportunity to play a small part in making just a little difference in the life of a child and their family.
Once we have been connected to a Ronald McDonald House or Family Room and the families we have met, we are never the same again and the memories stay with us forever.
Thank you to every Volunteer who steps up to help, you are treasured.
Happy 30th Birthday Ronald McDonald House Randwick may you continue to shelter, feed and care for families who arrive at the front door. Sending you a big hug!
Penny Douglas
Current RMH Family Room Volunteer
Retired House Manager/Executive Director from 1991 to 2008