December Volunteer of the Month – Donna King
Meet our volunteers! Each month, we highlight stand-out volunteers and how they support families. For December, meet Donna King, whose welcoming presence makes a big difference for families at our Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Edward Hospital.
- How long have you volunteered with RMHC–CNI?
I have been a volunteer with RMHC-CNI since September of 2022, so just a bit over a year! - Where do you typically volunteer, and what do you usually do?
I participate as a Team Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Edward Hospital (in Naperville, IL). During my volunteer shifts I’m happy to help out staff who need my support. Some of the typical tasks include putting away the daily lunch, organizing the snack cabinets, cleaning and disinfecting the room, accepting donations, and welcoming families to the space. Whatever I do I want to make sure the Family Room is fully stocked, neat and clean for families. - Why did you first start volunteering with the Ronald McDonald Family Room, and what keeps you coming back?
I retired from working in September 2021 and started looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity. I remembered that when my children were in grade school, one of their teachers collected pop tabs from aluminum cans to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities. We even had someone come to the school on multiple occasions to speak to the kids about the organization. So, the charity was top of mind, and in my research on where to participate I came across the need for volunteers at the Family Room inside Edward. I applied right away! - What is your favorite memory or experience from volunteering?
My favorite volunteer experience so far has been when the families who use the Family Room express their gratitude for being able to have a place to unwind, have a meal or snack, or have a place to stay for the night so they can be close to their children. It’s clear that even the small things we offer make such a big difference. - What does it mean to you to donate your time to our organization?
Being able to help parents and families who have sick children means the world to me! - If someone was thinking about becoming a volunteer with our organization, what would you tell them about getting involved?
If someone is thinking about becoming a volunteer with RMHC-CNI, I would say sign up right away! It is a very fulfilling experience!
Thank you, Donna for your contributions to helping families feel at home!