The Ronald McDonald House values people who are eager to provide friendly, sincere support to our families. Our volunteers span all ages and offer varied backgrounds. We try to match skills and interests with the work and projects that need to be completed to make sure the House offers a supportive, caring and clean home-away-from-home for the families who depend on us.

Most volunteers work one 3-hour shift per week during our normal operating hours (9:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m.). We will work with you to find a time that suits your schedule. And, as you can see from the volunteer opportunities listed below, there are many ways to volunteer that do not require the same block of time each week.

Here are some of the volunteer opportunities to consider:

Family Room Volunteers
The new Ronald McDonald House Family Room at the UHC Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital needs volunteers to sign guests in, provide a warm, friendly and supportive atmosphere for families, keep simple statistical records, and make sure the room is neat and tidy and supplied with beverages and snacks. The Family Room serves all pediatric in-patient families. Near the pediatric intensive care unit and the neonatal intensive care unit, it is a special place within the hospital where families can relax and get away while still being close to their child. The Family Room is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m.  Volunteers are needed for 3-hour shifts.

Kitchen Hosts/Hostesses
The kitchen is the heart of the House, and volunteers are especially needed to help keep this area clean and well organized and to be sure that group meal leftovers are stored appropriately. Volunteers are also needed specifically to welcome outside family meal volunteer groups into the House, familiarize them with the kitchen, and help them with meal preparation.

Drivers
Many families who stay at the House do not have cars here, yet need or want to get out to the grocery store, shopping malls and museums. We need volunteers who are willing to use our vehicle or their own vehicles to take families on such outings. The House will reimburse gasoline expenses. Volunteers can serve in this role at a schedule of their choosing or in an “on call” capacity.

Speakers Bureau
We are always in need of volunteers who enjoy speaking in front of groups about the House or staffing information/exhibit tables at health and volunteer fairs. We will provide you with training and materials.

House Volunteers
We are always happy to welcome new people into our weekly roster. These volunteers usually work one three-hour shift per week. They staff the front desk, answering phones and guests' questions, taking reservations, greeting new arrivals, and giving House tours. They also pitch in wherever they can: cleaning up a spill in the kitchen, tidying the public areas of the House, or stuffing envelopes — whatever it takes to make our House a home.

Do you speak a foreign language? We really need your help at our front desk! And, it is a good way for you to practice your skills. You do not need to be fluent, our guests appreciate any attempts to help.

Chore Volunteers
These volunteers come on a regular basis to help with ongoing projects and chores around the House. They may do inventory, clean the refrigerators on a weekly basis, organize the storage rooms, change the light bulbs, or launder the bedspreads — all the duties of maintaining any home!

Office Volunteers
The operation of the House involves a great deal of computer and paper work. If you enjoy data entry, word processing or filing, please consider a periodic commitment to clerical work at the House. WE NEED YOU!

Specialty Volunteers
These volunteers often work on special events or projects which may or may not require a weekly commitment. No matter how much time you have, we can always find something for you to do at our House!

Gardening Volunteers
We are fortunate to have beautifully landscaped gardens here, but we need individuals and/or groups to "adopt" portions of the garden to help maintain them. If you enjoy the outdoors and can help us, please consider this option where you can set your own schedule.

Family Meal Volunteers
Families are asked to do their own cooking, so it is a wonderful treat to have a meal on the table after a day at the hospital. We have a fully equipped kitchen in the house, including barbecue grills. We need individuals or groups who are willing to cook and serve a meal for about 45 people. All you need to do is plan the meal, bring the food and provide the labor! This is an especially rewarding evening if you eat with the families. Just call our volunteer coordinator to be put on the schedule.

Fund Raising and Special Event Volunteers
On an occasional basis, we need volunteers to staff a booth at a local fair, set up a special function or booth, stuff envelopes or serve on a benefit planning committee. Contact the volunteer coordinator for a full list of activities.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities
As with any House, we have continual maintenance needs. In addition, in order to be a home, our House needs personal touches. Therefore, we need your skills and hobbies, even if offered on an as-needed basis, to make this House all it can be!

• Woodworking, plumbing, painting, electrical work
• Carpet cleaning, repair, and laying
• Driving families to the grocery or to special events
• Providing musical entertainment — we have a piano
• Maintaining our book library, video library, and CD ROM photo library
• Photographing special events or just a day in the House
• Teaching English to our foreign families or Spanish to our volunteers
• Leading an exercise class
• Teaching CPR
• Writing for the Newsletter
• Correspondent between families who have departed and the House
• Shoveling snow
• Decorating for the holidays
• Baking — we need a "Cookie Person"!
• Inventory and stock the kitchen
• Substitute House Volunteer
• Inventory and stock saleable items
• Arts and Crafts
• Bingo Night or other games
• Fill the bird feeders
• Play ball with the kids
• Empty the garbage cans
• Face Painting at Parade the Circle
• Hortitherapy
• Water the plants or yard
• Work with Junior Volunteers
• Schedule volunteer groups for meals and chores