The first Ronald McDonald House (RMD) opened in Philadelphia in 1974. It was largely the inspiration of Fred Hill, a Philadelphia Eagles football player whose daughter was undergoing treatment of leukemia.
He enlisted the aid of his teammates and the local McDonald’s restaurant franchises to raise the funds to purchase and renovate the first House. The project – with the motto of “The House That Love Built” – has a mission statement to “provide comfort, safety, and advocacy in a home-like environment for families with critically ill or injured children who must travel to fulfill their healthcare needs.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities has been serving these needs for over 32 years and the local House has been serving the Coastal Bend for more than 20 years.
“Our staff is quite small, so we rely heavily on volunteers,” said Amanda Juarez, the local RMH Program Coordinator.
Those interested in volunteering need to fill out an application and attend an orientation session. Volunteers help families with the details that take time and focus away from their child.
Volunteers receive a T-shirt and some of the areas the RMH needs volunteers in are administrative, housekeeping and grounds maintenance.
Those under 18 years of age are required to have a parent or guardian present. There are fundraising events that also need volunteers.
If interested, contact Juarez at 361/854-4073 or stop by 3402 Fort Worth.