6 Family-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities
The holiday season is a time for family, gratitude, and giving back. At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI), we offer meaningful opportunities for families like yours to create special memories while helping families facing the unimaginable.
Every year, RMHC-CNI supports nearly 12,000 families with children receiving critical medical care by providing a place to stay, warm meals, and a caring community. This holiday season, we invite you to join us in making a difference through one of our six family-friendly volunteer opportunities.
1. Cook Meals for Families
Providing meals is one of the most impactful ways to support families staying at our Houses. You can form a group of up to 10 people (ages 13+) and spend 3–4 hours preparing, serving, and cleaning up a homemade meal in one of our kitchens.
Whether it’s a barbecue, hearty stew, or an Italian feast, your culinary effort will provide comfort and nourishment to families far from home. Unique to the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s, you will cook alongside our chef using pre-purchased ingredients thanks to your monetary donation.
2. Create Care Kits
When families rush to the hospital with their child, everyday essentials often get left behind. Care kits filled with snacks, toiletries, and bottled water provide much-needed relief during these difficult times.
This is a great activity for all ages and can be done at home. Kids can participate by drawing pictures or writing kind notes to include in the kits. Every bag you assemble helps a family feel supported and cared for.
3. Bake Cookies for Families
Through our Cookies from the Heart program, you can bake delicious treats right in our program kitchens. The smell of fresh-baked cookies creates a warm, homey atmosphere for families staying at our Houses.
Groups of up to four (ages 10+ with at least one adult) can choose their favorite cookie recipe, bring the ingredients, and bake on-site. Afterward, you’ll see firsthand how your efforts bring smiles to those who need it most.
4. Buy Wish List Items
Help bring holiday joy to families staying with us by purchasing items from our wish lists. These gifts stock our complimentary holiday “store,” allowing parents to shop for their children without leaving their child’s side.
Browse our digital wish lists or shop on your own, and drop off unwrapped gifts at one of our locations. Your generosity helps brighten the holidays for families facing tough times.
5. Host Fundraisers Together
From cookie sales to gift-wrapping events, families can creatively raise funds to support RMHC-CNI. Our flexible platform makes it easy to set up a personalized donation page and share your goals. Every dollar raised directly supports families staying close to their hospitalized child.
6. Collect Pop Tabs
Small but mighty, pop tabs are an easy way to contribute to our mission. Schools, scout troops, and families can collect tabs for recycling, with proceeds helping fund our operations. When your collection is ready, drop off your donation at one of our Chicagoland locations.
Make an Impact This Holiday Season
The holidays can be an especially difficult time for families caring for a sick child. By volunteering with RMHC-CNI, you can offer comfort and support to those who need it most.
“This year, we’ve seen a greater need from more families than ever before,” says Allie DiFrancesca, our Director of Community Engagement. “With so many ways to give back, every family can find a meaningful way to help.”
Together, we can make the holidays a little brighter for families in need.