Volunteers

Volunteer Application

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Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We have many volunteer opportunities to suit your schedule and preferences, whether serving as a House Volunteer, a Teen Volunteer, working with our Meal Program or working as a Special Event or Speaker's Bureau Volunteer. Be sure to check out our featured volunteer profile!

We also have many opportunities for groups to do projects, please contact the Houses directly for a list of available projects.

Tampa House - located on Davis Islands - contact Maggie Somerville at (813) 254-2398, ext. 317
St. Pete East, West & Central Houses near ACH - contact Lise Fields at (727) 767-8166

House Volunteers

Trained volunteers are an integral part of the Ronald McDonald House program. Volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis every day of the week for these shifts:

Volunteers register and check out families, answer telephones, give House tours and assist in the day-to-day operation of the House by helping where needed.

Volunteers must have the ability to relate to children and adults. A primary quality is the ability to be a good, understanding listener as parents may need to share the burden of their child’s hospitalization. Good telephone and organizational skills are important. We have a great need for volunteers who speak Spanish.

Volunteers must have their own transportation. Adult singles or couples are welcome. Volunteers are needed for arts & crafts, house decorating and those with special skills such as hair styling or massage therapy.

Time Commitment

A minimum of two four-hour shifts per month is requested as outlined above. Orientation is held monthly.

Housewarmer - St. Pete Houses

Housewarmer volunteers assist the families and make them feel welcome, help keep the kitchen and dining areas clean and keep a watchful eye on activities around the house. Other duties include light housekeeping, such as straightening the common rooms and tidying the kitchen, assist groups preparing and serving meals and provide a listening ear for the parents who have a need for someone to share the burden of their child's hospitalization.

Time Commitment

Flexible scheduling in the morning or around meal times seven days a week; there is no minimum monthly time commitment.

Teen Programs

The St. Petersburg houses are designated Service Learning sites. High school students work alongside staff restocking pantries, storing donations, and performing light housekeeping and light yard work. They also facilitate children’s activities and make treats in our kitchens for the families.

    • Teens must be at least 15 years old.
    • The summer program begins shortly after school lets out for the summer and continues as the teen’s schedule allows during the school year.
    • The application process begins in March with a tour for the parents and teen. The application can be completed and guidelines signed at that time. Bright Futures scholarship applications need to be signed off by staff and the school counselor before beginning the program.
    • After an orientation, teens schedule a 3-hour shift from 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm (weekdays only).
    • The Teen Cuisine program offers service hours for providing a home-cooked meal for the West House families.

    Contact Lise Fields in St. Pete by email or call 727-767-8166.
    For Tampa, email Maggie Somerville or call 813-254-2398, ext. 317.
    For teens under age 15 or for additional ways you can help, here is an Activity List. Top

    VOLUNTEEN APPLICATION
    ST. PETE STUDENT GUIDELINES
    TAMPA STUDENT GUIDELINES

    RED SHOE COUNCIL

    The Red Shoe Council consists of young and mid-professionals who live and work in the Tampa Bay area. The goal of the group is to raise community awareness and operating funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. The Red Shoe Council is chaired by Amber Knight, a Commercial Relationship Manager for Business Banking at Sun Trust who also serves on the House Operations Committee for our Tampa House. Ryan Wendt, Red Shoe Council Co- Chair is an Account Executive for Wendt Productions has been active with the Ronald McDonald House programs since she was 10 years old.

    The Red Shoe Council meets monthly and hosts quarterly fundraisers such as: kick-ball or dodge ball tournaments, cocktail hours, pub crawls, etc. In addition to fundraising, the Red Shoe Council prepares meals at the Houses to allow members hands-on interaction with our families and House program.

    Meetings are on second Tuesday of the month. For more information on the group and for meeting locations, contact Red Shoe Council Liaison & RMH Event Coordinator - Alexandra Greacen by email or phone 813-258-6430 ext 5.

    Save the Date

    The Red Shoe Council will be participating in the following events. Please mark your calendars:

    1/7/12                  Red Shoe Pub Crawl - Purchase your ticket today!
    2/25/12                Run for Kids 5K/10K (Downtown St. Pete).  Sign Up Now to Join the Red Shoe Council Team.

    Ideas for Kids

    Here is a list of activities and ways for kids to help Ronald McDonald House.

    Meal Program

    Our meal guidelines have recently changed. Please be sure to review the Prepare a Meal guidelines for each house.

    Create a casserole supper in our kitchens, use our gas grill, order in pizza, make breakfast, stew, soup or chili. After your hard work, we encourage you to serve the meal yourself or dine with our families after your “chef” work. Members from local civic clubs, churches and area businesses love this fun and creative “teambuilding” effort!

    Fresh Meat & Dairy Sponsor – help fund weekly bulk deliveries of fresh beef and chicken for the children and new mothers who need the nutrition.

    Hold a Pantry Drive – collect canned goods, paper products, cleaning and other household supplies - we’ve got 80 bedrooms, 84 bathrooms & five kitchens!

    Prepare a Meal Program/St. Pete
    Prepare a Meal Program/Tampa
    St. Pete Central House Prepare a Meal Program

    Tampa Meal Coordinator
    Tampa Meal Calendar (last name Tampa, password - meal


    St. Pete Meal Coordinator

    Other Ways To Volunteer

    Individuals or groups are needed to assist in planning and working special events. If your organization enjoys working together on events or if you would like to organize your own event to benefit our families, please contactAlexandra Greacen for more information. Our two main events each year are the Charity Golf Classic in November and the Storybook Ball in the Spring.

    Volunteer Profile - TUCKER, DOG THERAPIST

    TuckerTucker is in demand these days, whether he's visiting the kids at RMH St. Pete, the sick kids at All Children's Hospital, or hanging out at the library in the "Tucker Zone". Here is a feature on Tucker from our Fall 2011 Newsletter.

    Hello - my name is Tucker, and I am a dog therapist. My human, Kathleen Johnson-Esterly, puts a badge on me that says Dog Therapy, so I feel qualified in saying I am a therapist.
    As you can see, I am a Welsh Springer Spaniel. I have been visiting families at RMH for five years, (or fifteen years in dog years.) I also visit sick kids at All Children's Hospital, and make special appearances at the public library and community events.

    As a therapist, I have to be an extremely good listener. The kids like to read to me, snuggle with me and play with my soft long ears. I have learned to be calm around them, because they scare easily.
    In 2008 I was honored to be named a Yerrid's Hero during the Tampa Bay Fights Cancer hockey game. They even gave me a special dog jersey...that was amazing! Now that I'm a celebrity, I have created my own special photo to leave with the kids so they can remember me after our visit. I really love my job; it makes me happy all over.
    Kathleen keeps me very busy. She tells me she is now in charge of the volunteer Dog Therapy program for RMH. I guess that makes me the Head Dog - I'm up to the challenge!

    Rrrrruff! ... Tucker, D.T. (Dog Therapist)




    Volunteer Profile - Melanie McCarthy

    Melanie McCarthyMelanie McCarthy came to RMH as a volunteer after she participated in a Franklin Templeton dinner for the families at the East House. Melanie began volunteering at the West House, which she still enjoys. However, she is also a Weekend Manager and volunteer at the Central House. She has organized meals for the house, collected critical needs pantry items and applied for donation money through Franklin Templeton. She won $1K for RMH through a grant with her employer and has currently applied for another $10K.  Melanie also picks up Publix bakery donations on a weekly basis. She is an incredible asset to the Central House.









    Volunteer Profile - Matt & Alison Raab

    Matt and Alison Raab volunteer every other Sunday morning at Ronald McDonald House TampRaab Familya. Matt, now Vice President at Web Direct Brands, began this shift in 2002. Staying in Tampa for Thanksgiving that year, Matt was looking for someplace to volunteer during the holiday and asked his employer and longtime RMHC board member Susan Wendt for advice. The entire Wendt family is very involved with the Ronald McDonald House, so they eagerly informed him about the volunteer opportunities at the House. The kindness and compassion he found in both the residents and the other volunteers at the RMH made a lasting impression on him.

    Alison joined Matt on his shift soon after they were married in 2009. Alison, a Staffing Manager with Accounting Principals, has a passion for children and families. Having grown up in a close-knit family in New Jersey that includes paramedics, nurses and law enforcement; she had been exposed to the dramatics of medical emergencies and the effects it can have on a family. She loves the idea of Ronald McDonald House keeping the parents close to their children and was eager to participate as a volunteer.

    They are both looking for more ways to be involved. Whether it is cooking meals, helping out at special events or participating on the Red Shoe Council, they plan on being a part of RMH for years to come.