July 13, 2018
At Lakehill, our students have been collecting pull tabs for many years. Saving those little tabs that you pull to open soda, soup, or other aluminum cans, is a small project that can make a big difference for a non-profit organization. A couple of years ago, I took a group of Community Connections campers to visit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, take a tour, and deliver our pull tabs. Our collection bin at school filled up this summer, and I decided to visit the House again and deliver them.
The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD) provides temporary housing in a caring home-like atmosphere to families whose children are receiving essential medical care. The goal is to lessen the burden, reduce stress, keep the family intact, and enhance the quality of life for the families they serve. The program is designed so that families can concentrate on helping their children heal, without having to worry about what they are going to eat or where they are going to sleep.
With approximately 60,000 square feet, RMHD offers 52 private bedrooms and six transplant apartments. There are several playrooms, a library, media room, craft room, chapel, meditation garden, and outdoor play areas. Communal kitchens and a dining room allow families to share a meal, which is provided three times a day by community volunteers, or to prepare their own food if they choose.
Families are asked to contribute $15 per family per night, but no one has ever been turned away because they couldn’t pay. The actual cost per night to house a family is about $130— a cost mostly covered by individual and corporate donors, community organizations, and special events. Since it opened in 1981, RMHD has served more than 38,000 families.
Hundreds of volunteers offer support by serving families, preparing meals, and hosting organized activities. Each month, it takes approximately 140 cooking groups to fulfill RMHD’s mission. Volunteer organizations and individuals host organized family activities on a regular basis, with most activities taking place in the evenings or on the weekends. Groups are typically limited to 12 people, and volunteers must be 15 years of age or older.
Individual volunteers must commit to volunteering at the House for at least three months. There are three main categories that are worked in weekly, three-hour shifts, including Front Desk, Kitchen, and Family Activity Volunteers. All individual volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
Collecting pop tabs, like we did at Lakehill, is a great way for children, schools, and other large groups to get involved with RMHD. Children of all ages can participate in this easy and fun project. The funds generated from recycling the aluminum tabs help offset RMHD’s expenses.
On my recent visit, I discovered that there is a bin located right outside the entrance to the House, so that tabs can be dropped off any day. Staff members were also happy to give me a large cardboard collection container that was shaped like a house. This will be perfect to keep in our school cafeteria, where students can easily donate during their lunch period.
With 364 Ronald McDonald Houses, in 43 countries and regions, it should be easy to get involved in your area and make a difference!
