Clubs and districts are getting behind Ronald McDonald House in full force and are coming up with some creative ways to support a worthy cause!
Home for Dinner
Clubs and districts have began participating in the Home for Dinner program. This program provides an opportunity for families at the Ronald McDonald House to alleviate stress by enjoying a comforting worry-free meal together when they need it most. The Home for Dinner is a change for families to have a home cooked meal when they arrive back at the House from a long day at the hospital.
4-H Clubs and districts such as Rockyview have been volunteering to come and prepare a meal of their choice for the grateful families staying at the House. What the volunteers decide to cook is completely up to them! Dinners at the House are usually for 40 - 60 people and the volunteers are invited and encouraged to stay and have dinner with the families, take a guided tour of the House and get acquainted with the many people who make the Ronald McDonald House such a special place.
January 26, 2014 the Rockyview District consisting of 2 members and 5 leaders/parents went to the Ronald McDonald Southern Alberta House to participate in this opportunity. The meal came as a result of a donation from the Airdrie Rotary Club and the Rockyview 4-H District Council. In total the Rockyview District will be able to provide 5 dinners for the Southern Alberta House!
The Home for Dinner Program experience has been a very humbling and positive adventure for the District, according to Elaine Manor, General Leader of the Prairie Winds 4-H Club. "Word has been spreading amongst the district and I am getting emails daily from members and parents to volunteer for the next 2 dates that are set up (March 30 and May 25). At the next dinner, I will have 5 senior members and 3 adults, and I am quite excited about the influx of requests from senior members to volunteer! I can't say enough about the overwhelming response from the District to support the Ronald McDonald House. The members, parents, leaders and council have really gotten behind this charity".
In addition to supporting the Ronald McDonald House's dinner program, almost every club in the Rockyview District is also participating in the pull tab program. Clubs are even competing for the pop tabs at district events!
Charity Steer
Clubs are also supporting Ronald McDonald Houses by donating the proceeds of their charity steers to the House or Houses.
Irricana 4-H Beef and Multi Club & Rockyview District has plans to raise $10,000 for the Ronald McDonald House with their charity steer this year.
Every year the Calgary Region hosts 4-H on Parade at the Calgary Stampede Park, generally the first weekend in June. Each year the beef and sheep clubs alternate which club will raise a charity steer or lamb to market off during the Sunday of 4-H on Parade. The club raising the steer has the option of which charity they would like to see the funds donated to.
This year the proceeds from Irricana 4-H Beef & Multi Club's charity steer will be designated to the Ronald McDonald House. New this year, the steer will not be auctioned off but raffled instead! All beef families in the Rockyview District will be selling tickets for a total of 1,000 tickets. Each ticket will cost $10 each and, if the ticket sales sell out, a total of $10,000 will go to the Ronald McDonald House.
The ticket draw will take place during the 4-H sale and the winner will receive either a hand fed 4-H steer, cut and wrapped or $2000.00 cash. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact: Terry Nixdorff, tnixdorff@efirehouse.net.
The Ronald McDonald house is a non-profit organization that provides temporary and affordable accommodations for families whose children are being treated at one of the local medical facilities. Alberta currently has three Ronald McDonald Houses located in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. The Ronald McDonald House give children what they need most...their families.
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