National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to pause and recognize the hundreds of incredible individuals who give their time, energy, and hearts to Ronald McDonald House Charities® South Central Ontario.
Without you, we couldn’t provide the care and comfort that families rely on during one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Whether they’re cooking, organizing, listening, leading, or fundraising, our volunteers help us bring our Mission to life every single day. Here's a look at the many ways our volunteers make a difference:
🍴Meal Service & Prep Volunteers
Volunteers help serve breakfast and dinner daily at our House in Hamilton, feeding 40 families and around 100 people each day. They also:
- Prep snacks for our Family Rooms
- Bake homemade desserts
- Support a meal program that provides 60,000 meals annually
🏥Family Room Volunteers
Volunteers are the friendly faces welcoming families in our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at McMaster Children's Hospital and Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines. They:
- Offer a listening ear and compassionate presence
- Keep the space clean, organized, and stocked with essentials
- Provide laundry services and refreshments so families can recharge, even inside the hospital!
Meet Hilde: One of our Family Room at Marotta Family Hospital!
🛒Hospitality Cart Volunteers
When parents can't leave their child's bedside, our volunteers bring comfort to them. Our Hospitality Cart program runs in McMaster Children's Hospital, Marotta Family Hospital, and Grand River Hospital. These volunteers:
- Distribute snack, drinks, toiletries, and small toys
- Bake homemade desserts
- Support a meal program that provides 60,000 meals annually
Meet Tracey: One of our Volunteers at Marotta Family Hospital!
🧠Board of Directors
Our volunteer Board Members share their expertise and leadership to help guide our long-term growth and serve more families across South Central Ontario.
Meet Gillian White, Treasurer of our Board and ERP Business Project Lead at Samuel, Son & Co.
🎉 Event & Project Volunteers
From one-day events to weekend fundraising campaigns, these volunteers show up in a big way. They:
- Dress up as beloved characters at our Family Reunion BBQ
- Organize golf tournament, markets, and more
- Rally communities and companies to raise funds for families
🎁 Gift In-kind & Organization Volunteers
At our Hamilton House, volunteer ensure that every donated items finds the right home. They:
- Sort toys, toiletries, and non-perishable food items for families
- Yard work like cutting the grass or maintaining our green spaces
- Design the interior of our House to ensure it feels like home
Meet Joanne & Rocco: Two Volunteers Who Make our House Feel like Home
A Final Thank You ❤️
Whether you give one hour a week or lead a major fundraiser, your impact is felt in every smile, every meal, and every moment of peace offered to a family when life is far from normal.
From all of us at RMHC South Central Ontario, thank you for your time, your heart, and your belief in our Mission of keeping families close.
Tap here to learn about our volunteer opportunities
Donate to support our families
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We couldn't do the work we do without the support of our community partners.