STEPPING UP AND OUT

When a child needs life-saving treatment, Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon steps up for families. The mission of Ronald McDonald House (RMH or the ‘House’) is about keeping families together.

In their 73-bedroom House (Vancouver), and four-bedroom Family Room (Surrey), they assist up to 2,000 families a year from over 200 BC and Yukon communities. Cancer, heart surgery, or neo-natal intensive care (NICU) can require a stay of a few days and up to a year.

Robyn Ives, Communications Officer for RMH says, “The main challenge during COVID-19 is that it takes a village to support the House – and we have had to keep our village at a distance for everyone’s safety.”

Volunteers normally help run programs, cook meals and support fundraising events, but the pandemic paused programs and restricted visitors.

“We have new protocols for sanitizing and distancing to ensure families’ safety and are looking at safe ways to bring more volunteer programs back,” Ives adds.

“Our community has stayed in touch and found new ways to support our families virtually and from a distance. We were able to stay open all 365 days in 2020.”

Ives says they have a diverse team of volunteers who answer questions at the front desk, keep kitchens clean and stocked, organize a group to cook dinner, raise funds, or host programs for families such as paint nights, teen game nights, or Lego Robotics where communication and teamwork skills prevail.

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Patrick Hartney is an RMH volunteer with over 1,000 hours of service.

“No job is too big or too small,” says Ives of Patrick’s dedication. “And he is such a calming presence for our families… the reason we can do what we do!”

A smile from a child or a thank you from a family is Patrick’s reward.

“My work life was project management, new construction, facility renovation,” says Patrick. “In late 1994, I heard of a Society that was renovating a large heritage home to create a pediatric palliative hospice. I took the Family Volunteer training program.”

From Canuck Place (for 12 years), Patrick’s experience led him to the Vancouver Hospice Society doing Bereavement Walks, and later volunteering at Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, where he’s been since it opened in 2014.
“It was an honour to work with such an exceptional professional care team; the stories, tears and, yes, laughter at times are many,” says Patrick.

“The families have had their world turned upside down; the House is there to provide them a ‘home’ away from home… to ensure that their stay is as comfortable and safe as possible, allowing them the time they need to care for their child during treatment,” he says.

As for COVID-19, Patrick says, “In late November of 2020, House management invited a few of us back, on a limited basis, to assist staff with administration duties, kitchen and pantry arrangements. Staff is currently reviewing all the pre-COVID-19 programs offered to families, with a view to how they will function, and when they will be able to return the House to full occupancy.”

An RMH volunteer should be a good listener – caring, non-judgmental, understanding and flexible, according to Patrick. He learned early in his volunteer work to leave his workday at the curb. The same goes, to the extent possible, for when he leaves his volunteer role.

STEP UP FOR FAMILIES
Ives admits that although in-person fundraising events are still a ways away, “Step Up For Families” is a way to get outside and move, with some friendly competition and the support of a community.

“This May, virtually assemble your team of family, friends, classmates or co-workers,” says Ives. “Move a total of 73 kilometres while raising awareness and funds for RMH BC’s 73-bedroom House and Family Room.”

“No matter where you live, you can participate by walking, running, cycling or moving… bring our community together.”

To learn more, visit https://rmhbc.ca

Joan Boxall is author of DrawBridge: Drawing Alongside My Brother’s Schizophrenia (Caitlin Press).

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