Giving back with a bedroom

“I know there’s been so many who have had to avail from the generosity of the Ronald McDonald House, so it seemed like a good fit for us to be able to give back to them.”

By Victoria Plowman
Kicker

Ronald McDonald House relies on donations, fundraising and community support to aid the families that walk through its doors.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association in St. John’s recently announced the sponsorship of a family room at the Ronald McDonald House in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Adjacent to the Janeway Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House provides accommodations to families from outside the area whose children who are in St. John’s for treatment.

When the idea of sponsoring a room at the hostel was brought to the table, Constabulary Association president Mike Summers said there was no turning away.

“We’ve had a few members from our association here in town who’ve had to go away and have their kids treated,” said Summers. “I know one of our members wanted to attend when we did the room opening. He wasn’t able to make it. One of his children (was) sick, and he’d been staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto for 600 days – and that was just one of our members.”

“The idea came across our table, and one of the aspects of it was not just making a straight donation but a sponsorship for the room,” said Summers. “So we looked at that and thought it would be a good idea.”

The $7,500 one-year sponsorship ensures the upkeep and maintenance of the room, and it provides necessities such as linens, toiletries and toys.

“I know there’s been so many who have had to avail from the generosity of the Ronald McDonald House,” said Summers. “So it seemed like a good fit for us to be able to give back to them.”

According to Summers, the RNCA has donated to charities and non-profit organizations regularly for the past few years. He said that it’s most rewarding when they get to put a face with the donation.

“When we went there to present the cheque and do the opening, the people who were actually going to be staying in the room were there, so once we unveiled the room they started moving right into it,” said Summers.  “It was nice to get to see that and speak to them and, you know, see how appreciative they were.”

“I don’t believe this was their first time having to stay at the Ronald McDonald House, so it was nice to be able to see our effect. We’re trying to give back to the community as much as we can.”