To the Ronald McDonald
Family Room Volunteer Portal
RMHC Family Room Program Volunteer Portal
We are so excited to continue adding even more to the Volunteer Portal in an effort to keep our volunteers informed and engaged! The homepage will be updated every other month with new tips and useful information for all volunteers! Each hospital tab will continue to be updated weekly with the current schedule and specific Room updates!
Five Minutes with...
Susan Peck
Tell me about how you first got involved with the Family Room.
A little over a year ago, I began to realize that I had some extra time in my schedule, since my kids were growing into teens and young adults, and I had a strong desire to volunteer in some way. The first thing that popped in my mind was to look into RMHC.
When I was 11, my older brother of almost 3 years, was diagnosed with bone cancer. At the time, we were living in Dallas.
...It was then that I discovered the Ronald McDonald House! I still remember what a special place it was..
So, in September of 2018, I became a volunteer at the Cardinal Glennon Ronald McDonald House Family Room. Although I know I’m not supposed to ask the families questions about their child, it’s amazing how some of them just start sharing with me
about their struggles. And because of my experiences as a sibling to a very ill teenager, it seems that having that connection has helped them remember they’re not alone.
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What is your fondest memory in the Family Room?
I would have to say that one of my fondest memories was when a mom came upstairs with wonderful news about her infant daughter finally being discharged after months and
months of being in the hospital since her birth. She was overjoyed and wanted to share the news with someone!
What do you wish people knew about the Family Room Program?
I think that many people understand that the family room stays open because of the many ongoing and generous donations, but I think some may not realize that it’s predominantly run by volunteers.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy participating in various roles at my church: helping lead music, heading up the hospitality team, and leading children’s worship. At home, I love spending time with my family...my husband, Mark, and our 2 high schoolers, and our
older 2, when they’re home from college. I also love singing, playing the piano, guitar, and djembe.
How would you describe the family room in less than 10 words?
The family room provides much-needed respite and encouragement, alongside others facing similar situations.
In the Loop: Maintenance
As our Family Rooms continue to improve, volunteers may interact with the maintenance team as they go in and out of the room. Feel free to keep the RMFR staff updated with any progress in the room.
We appreciate how communicative everyone has been about appliance complications in the rooms! Please continue to let Family Room staff know about any issues and we will designate who to call!
​Doing Good Does You Good
Do you know anyone eager to sprinkle a little goodness into the world? Welcome them to the Family Room Volunteer family! We are actively recruiting for our Children’s and Cardinal Glennon locations. By sharing RMFR contact information, you are jump starting something wonderful!
A Breath of Fresh Air
Everyone enjoys a nice break from work every once in a while. This includes our Family Room washers and dryers! To keep our washers and dryers in optimal condition there are a few things to keep in mind.
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Washers love a breath of fresh air! To keep washers mold and mildew free, it is important to keep their doors open when they are not in use. This is especially important in-between washes and when closing up the Room for the evening.
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Dryers prefer a fresh start before each new job. To keep dryers safe and warm, it is important to clear the lint trap. This can be done between loads and when closing up the Room for the evening.
Staff Contact Information:
Courtney Fischer
Manager, Family Room Program
Direct Line: 314.400.4329
Email:
Courtney Bradshaw
Family Room Coordinator
Direct Line: 314.400.4365
Email:
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Makayla Johnson
Assistant Family Room Manager
Direct Line: 314.400.4332
Email:
On-Call Number:
314.930.5292
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Rachel G.
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This means that this is Rachel's normal shift and she will be at her shift.
VACANT
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This means that this shift does not have a regular volunteer and until someone offers to come in for that shift, no one will be there. This is a shift we would send out in an open shift email.
OUT / Rachel G.
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This means that Rachel will not be at her normal shift.
"OUT" means someone has that normal shift but they will not be there. The name behind the "/" is the person who normally has that shift.
This would be a shift we would send out in open shift emails.
Joey T. / VACANT
This means that Joey picked a shift that does not have a regular volunteer.
The name in front of the "/" is the volunteer who picked up the shift. The "VACANT" after the "/" means that is not someone's normal shift.
This is what the calendar looks like after a volunteer picks it up from an open shift email.
Joey T. / Rachel G.
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This means that Joey picked the shift for Rachel.
The name in front of the "/" is the person filling for the person who has the regular shift. The name after the "/" is the name of the person with that regular shift.
This is what the calendar looks like after a volunteer picks it up from an open shift email.
Reading the Portal Calendar
We understand reading the Volunteer Portal can be confusing, thanks for bearing with us! Here are some explanations as to why it looks the way it does!
Everyone of them [volunteers] genuinely enjoyed what they were doing and it showed in how they treated everyone. It was almost like they were welcoming you into their home​
-Mercy Family Room Family
My granddaughter was in the NICU. The Family Room was just what we needed to get a break! Thank you!
-Cardinal Glennon Family Room Family
I needed a quiet place to make some hard phone calls. The volunteers were sweet and so very compassionate. I was shaking like a leaf, and they made sure to send me with snacks for later, a much needed dose of caffeine, real soft tissues and hugs
-St. Louis Children's Hospital Family Room Family