Members of our club, the Town Lake Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, along with several other volunteer organizaitons, cook an evening meal on Sundays a few times a year for the families of the children at Ronald McDonald House. We believe that our efforts bring love and comfort to the families.
Ronald McDonald House is expert at recruiting assistance from diverse sectors of the Austin community.
My experience with the Ronald McDonald House began in 1984 when my baby brother needed highly specialized care that required our family to travel from Louisiana to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while we were there and the staff bent over backwards to make us feel at home. It made all the difference to have a warm, upbeat place to return to in the evenings after long days at the hospital. I even got to play with other kids who had a sick brother or sister and didn't feel so alone.
Because I understand first hand how much good the Ronald McDonald house does for sick children and their families, I chose to become a volunteer at the house in Austin. Each shift that I work, I get to see the look of relief on the face of a tired mother who walks in the house after a long day at the hospital and sees a freshly prepared meal waiting for her or the eyes of a confused sibling light up when he sees the house's playroom and all of its fun toys.
Relief, comfort, fun - these are the gifts that the Ronald McDonald House brought to my family in our time of need and I am grateful to be a part of passing it along to others.
rmhcctx 05/02/2011
Claire, thank you so much for taking time to write a review for us and share your story. We're so glad RMHC has meant a lot to you in your lifetime and that you are giving back to support other families now. Thank you!! Jan
I was an intern at Ronald McDonald House Charities in Austin for four months and I could not have asked for a better place to work! Everyone was so welcoming and the fun environment felt like one big family. Even though I was there to help them out, they went out of their way to help me by allowing me to take on many fun projects as well as connecting me to as many people as possible.
The most exciting part about working at RMHC Austin was seeing firsthand how their warm and welcoming attitude carried over to all of the visiting families. Through such dedication, they truly made the House feel like a home away from home, and I am so grateful to RMHC and the wonderful experiences they gave me!
rmhcctx 04/28/2011
Thanks for being a fabulous intern, Meagan! It's been wonderful to have you here, and I know you will do well in your next endeavors. Jan Gunter
In November 2009 I went into pre-term labor for my daughter. I was not prepared to leave the hospital without her, but because she was a premie she had to stay for nearly two weeks. The volunteers at Ronald McDonald House did everything they could to make our visits to the NICU caring and comforting - We were very grateful to have them as a resource - a home away from home even at the hospital.
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Oh, we're so glad we were able to support you through the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Thank you for sharing your story here! Jan Gunter RMHC Austin
Ronald McDonald House has been very good with my family. I had help here in Austin and in San Antonio. I also have volunteered. They helped us with so much with all the comforts of home away from home. Very thankful for this organization that helps families in need.
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Thanks for the great review - we're so glad we could be there for your family. Jan Gunter RMHC Austin
In February and March of 1998 I stayed at the RMH in Austin. My son was born with a heart defect and I lived an hour away. In the 5 weeks I ws there it was amazing. They helped me out financially and made it feel like home. I had a wonderful 2 bed room with a balcony because you can't smoke in the RMH itself I was about to sit outside and do it with no problems. I had a place to call home that was just a mile from the hospital with privacy and company if I desired. I could speak with anyone there at anytime and no one ever turns their back to you. When my son passed away they showed more love and compassion then I could have ever asked for. (getting teary eyed) I was able to stay there a few more days and get all of my affairs in order and take care of what I needed to. Without them I would have not made it through a lot of the time my baby was there, I would have never left the hospital!
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Thanks for sharing your story and for the beautiful review. We're glad that you benefited from our bereavement services through the memorial service you attended. We wish you all the best! Jan Gunter RMHC Austin
Our organization has volunteered at Ronald McDonald House of Austin for several years. We have found the staff to be responsive, sincere and concerned about the residents. They provide first rate service and are always trying to find ways to meet the needs of the families and children. It is an awesome place to be during challenging times for families. We are grateful to have them in our community.
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Thank you for volunteering and for sharing your positive experiences here. We so appreciate your faithful support so that we can continue to serve hundreds of families every year. Best to you, Jan Gunter RMHC Austin
We have stayed at Ronald McDonald House Austin during my son's 9 surgeries. His last hospital stay was 19 days and I cannot even imagine how it would have been had RMHC Austin not been there for us. We can go grab a hot meal, check our email, get some rest all the while feeling the comforts of "home". I truly cannot thank them enough for what they do not only for us but all families with children in the hospital.
We have been impacted so much that this past year we began volunteering to give back and now we cook dinner every other month at Ronald McDonald House. We were so blessed to provide Christmas Dinner this past year and it is without question the best Christmas we've ever had.
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Angie - thanks for the great review and for sharing your wonderful story here for others to read. We're thrilled that your family has become a big supporter of all things RMHC Austin through providing meals, going on TV on our behalf and being great RMHC Austin ambassadors. Blessings on you all! Jan Gunter RMHC Austin
RMHC Austin is one of the preeminent Austin non-profit organizations! From their leadership to their fundraising to their operations, RMHC Austin's staff is top-notch. Everyone is singularly focused on how to provide more and better support for the families who stay at the House.
The House is a place where everyone is welcome, whether they are in need of RMHC's services or their to help families with sick children.
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Thank you for your dedicated support to RMHC Austin! We so appreciate your time, efforts and expertise on our behalf as we work to raise funds to support our programs. You're the best! Jan Gunter
I have been involved with RMHC in Austin, Texas for over 20 years. The staff and volunteers in this wonderfull charity are top notch. Countless families from our area and beyond are provided a much needed service in their times of need. Being able to have a great enviroment to stay in when their children are facing often long and taxing treatments for devestating health issues helps give them some comfort during this time. The community of volunteers is wonderfull, and extremely helpfull.
The staff does everything they can to help as many as they can. I am both a supporter and Board Member of this wonderfull Charity.
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Thank you for this great review of our services, and more importantly, for your long-term commitment to leadership in RMHC Austin. We are so thankful for your dedication to helping families when they need it most. Sincerely, Jan Gunter RMHC Austin
I cannot say enough about the Austin TX RMHC. The people involved from the volunteers to the the top are the most amazing caring individuals you would ever want to meet. They are doing Gods work. My husband was ill a few years back and I know how hard it was taking him back and forth to the hospital, making a grown man go in for his Chemo treatments, etc. I cannot imagine what that must be like to go through with a child, much less have to be in another city away from home. The amazing simple things the Austin Ronald McDonald House provides to families in these situations are priceless. Having a sick child is an awful thought, and already comes with a high financial burden, but imagine having to pay for weeks of hotel rooms, food, and being away from friends and family.
If you have the opportunity please look into this amazing charity. Give if you can of your time or your donations. Take a tour. You will be surprised at what they provide, who they provide it to, and how easily you can make a difference.
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Thanks for sharing your personal story as well as your RMHC Austin story. We are able to serve so many families because of the generous support of people like you who know firsthand how important it is to help families in challenging times. Sincerely, Jan Gunter RMHC Austin
My sister & I were in a terrible car accident, which killed her and left me with many severe internal injuries. The Austin Ronald McDonald House was my famlies home away from home during those weeks immediately after. It wasn't just the convenience of a home, though, but the love and support of the volunteers and families in the house who made a lasting impact. We have a stone outside for my sister's memory - and it always touches our hearts to stop by and find it. The new location is beautiful - and they've created a true haven for families. I recently moved back to the area, and my team & I at Starbucks are volunteering to prepare meals. Our hearts and lives are touched forever. Thank you, RMHC, for all that you do...
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Thanks so much for sharing your story. We are thankful that out of your profound loss you have found the energy and focus to support RMHC Austin on behalf of other families who find themselves in challenging situations. We loved meeting your Starbucks team at the House and look forward to more volunteering from all of you! Jan Gunter RMHC Austin
Four years ago, after spending a week with a friend whose son was at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, and after realizing how important the Ronald McDonald House there was to her and her family during their child's illness, I began volunteering at the House in Austin. In the past four years, we have completed and moved into a beautiful, energy-efficient new house adjacent to Dell Children's Hospital. In that time we have served almost 4000 families, and volunteers have spent over 23,000 hours per year supporting the wonderful work that the House staff does for the families of hospitalized children. Volunteers purchase food, cook meals, wash dishes, decorate and clean rooms, do office work, donate money and items on the needs list, garden, collect pull tabs, and support fund-raising events such as the Bandana Ball and Lights of Love 5K. Seeing a family come in from the hospital and being able to relax over a warm lunch or supper is the most gratifying feeling in the world.
rmhcctx 04/27/2011
Pat - you are a wonderful volunteer, and we all love seeing your smiling face each week! Thanks for the great review, but mostly thanks for your dedication that helps us each week as we work to support families in very challenging times. It's always good to know you're in the House because you understand so thoroughly the day-to-day operations and are able to care so well for families, volunteers, donors and whoever walks in the doors of this House! Jan Gunter
rmhcctx 05/02/2011
Thank you for taking time to write this great review. We so appreciate your volunteer efforts providing great meals for our families. Thanks for being part of helping children heal in Central Texas. Sincerely, Jan Gunter RMHC Austin