One of our most popular Core Wellness Programs at Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon is Meals From the Heart, and our in-House Chef Gabe relies on support from volunteers like Taryn to keep the program running seamlessly to serve home-cooked meals to families.
Taryn was looking for a volunteer role that could accommodate her full-time shift work as a respiratory therapist, and the flexibility offered at Ronald McDonald House was a perfect fit – allowing her to jump in whenever possible to help serve lunches and dinners in the House.
Before she started volunteering, she thought of Ronald McDonald House as just accommodation, but immediately realized that it is so much more than a place to stay. “Right from the second you enter, it’s just so welcoming. It’s such a calm, inclusive environment. It gives families extra time to not worry about the stressful parts of life prep, like grocery shopping or having to find a car to get to an appointment.”
In addition to the rewarding feeling of providing care to families, Taryn also enjoys learning new recipes from Chef Gabe!
Her most memorable experience while volunteering? When a past family who had stayed at the House returned in order to cook a meal for current families. “I felt like that tied it all in a whole circle of what Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon does for people. They loved their time so much inside the House that they wanted to give back to other families. It’s a legacy that keeps giving.”
