For families with a child in the hospital, Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms provide a feeling of comfort, normalcy and community, as a break from the stress of the hospital environment. At our Family Room in Surrey Memorial Hospital, a large part of this community is created by volunteers like Chantal.
Every Thursday she helps to provide a warm welcome for families experiencing difficult times, which can mean baking, keeping the Family Room clean and safe for families, and supporting the Family Room Manager with any essential tasks to help keep the program running.
“I get to work with amazing colleagues,” she shares, “and most of all, I get to be part of an organization that helps family in crisis and I can do my part to make their life a little bit easier while they’re going through a stressful time.”
Chantal’s favourite part of volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House Family Room? Being able to make a difference locally, for families who live in her community. “The unique thing about the Family Room is that we are serving the local community, from families who have to stay in the hospital long-term as well as day-use families. We get to serve a variety of people for any length of time – short or long term – with access to food, cooking, laundry services, shower opportunities. So it is a truly beautiful place for lots and lots of families.”
