Opportunities From: Giving DuPage

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) exists so families can get better together. Families staying at a Ronald McDonald House are often far from the comforts of home, including freshly prepared meals. Through Meals from the Heart, volunteers provide meals for families, allowing them to eat together without the stress of cooking or the expense of dining out.

Whether you’re looking for a teambuilding activity for colleagues or a fun way to give back with friends, Meals from the Heart is a great way to give families a taste of home.

Head to the RMHC-CNI website for more details, or to sign up for a meal date: https://rmhccni.org/get-involved/meals-from-the-heart/

Meals from the Heart volunteer groups (up to four volunteers per group) handle the meal planning and preparation from start to finish. Volunteers create their menu, purchase all necessary ingredients, and cook their meal in our fully-equipped Ronald McDonald House kitchens.

Top 10 Most Needed Items

Individually wrapped snacks (chips, cookies, crackers, etc.) Individually cereal K-Cups Individual portion of soup/mac n cheese Drawstring Garbage Bags (kitchen and larger) Laundry Detergent Cleaning supplies:  Lysol Wipes, Scrubbing Bubbles, toilet bowl cleaner, Windex, Soft Scrub & all purpose cleaner. Gift cards to Target, Amazon, Jewel, Home Depot, Sam’s Club/Walmart, OfficeMax, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, CVS & Walgreens. Postage stamps White Copy Paper 8.5 X 11

We kindly accept new, unused, recently purchased and unexpired items and greatly appreciate environmentally-friendly products.

 

Purpose: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) provides housing, support and community so families with sick children can stay together.  Team Volunteers are integral to this work by helping with the day-to-day operations of our Houses and Family Rooms.  No two days as a Team Volunteer are alike, and these flexible, passionate individuals handle a variety of tasks to ensure our locations run smoothly for the families we serve. 

 

Locations:

RMH near Advocate Children’s Hospital: 4410 W. 93rd, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 RMH near Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital: ON150 Winfield Rd., Winfield, IL 60190 RMH near Loyola University Medical Center: 1 Airmail Rd., Hines, IL 60141 RMH near Lurie Children’s: 211 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 RMH near UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital: 5444 S. Drexel Ave., Chicago, IL 60615

 

Key Responsibilities:

Interact professionally with guests, other volunteers, donors, visitors and RMHC-CNI staff. Complete simple household tasks and maintain a clean and functional space.  Responsibilities vary widely but may include: cleaning, doing laundry, and changing light bulbs, as well as restocking or organizing common spaces, kitchens and storage areas. Work at the front desk to welcome and assist guests, accept donations, assist with administrative projects and answer the phone. Give tours to volunteer groups, families and other visitors. Help families by preparing guest rooms for their arrival, answering basic questions and directing them throughout the House or Family Room. Assist with the preparation for and/or cleanup of volunteer group activities. Remain flexible and willing to complete wide-ranging tasks to meet current needs.

 

Qualifications:

Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and able/willing to show proof of vaccination in order to participate at RMHC-CNI locations. Agreement with and alignment to all RMHC-CNI rules, policies and protocols, including our current, post-COVID participation requirements. Must be at least 18 years of age. Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with other volunteers and RMHC-CNI staff. Desire to create and maintain a caring and compassionate environment for guest families. Willingness to engage with and provide service to all families and visitors. Volunteers must be dependable, trustworthy, friendly and flexible.

 

Time Commitment and Scheduling:

Volunteers must commit to two set, recurring shifts each month for at least one year. Team Volunteer shifts occur seven days a week, and are 3-4 hours long (location dependent).

 

Training and Support:

Volunteers must complete an orientation session, background check and on-site shadow shifts. Team Volunteers report to RMHC-CNI staff at each location.

 

Applying:

Interested individuals can submit an online application via the RMHC-CNI website: https://rmhccni.org/get-involved/individual-volunteer/

 

RMHC-CNI Contact:

Contact Brittany Wright, Director of Volunteer Services, at bwright@rmhccni.org.

Purpose:  Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) is committed to providing daily, nutritious meals for the families we serve.  Meal Helpers play a critical role in this service by working alongside our culinary team to ensure the successful execution of comforting meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s. 

 

Location:  RMH near Lurie Children’s, 211 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

 

Key Responsibilities:

Help execute meals planned by the culinary team by following recipes, prepping ingredients, cooking dishes, and packing or serving food. Maintain an organized and functional kitchen by cleaning after food preparation, emptying dishwashers, running sanitizers, restocking pantries, deep cleaning, and properly storing food. Manage the dining room during meal service by providing direction to guest families, upholding all safety measures, and consistently sanitizing and cleaning tables. If a Culinary Hearts volunteer group is present to prepare a meal during your shift: Act as a second-in-command to our culinary team, providing direction to and answering the questions of group participants. Support the culinary team in preparing for volunteer groups: gather needed supplies and ingredients, start on recipes, manage food deliveries, inventory supplies, and bring items to/from the kitchen and storage spaces as needed. Speak confidently to each volunteer meal group about their involvement, our House kitchen, and their impact on our mission.

 

Qualifications:

Must be at least 18 years of age. Comfortable cooking and knowledgeable in the kitchen. Adept at cleaning and maintaining a high-level of organization. Ability to work confidently in a busy kitchen environment. Willingness to work professionally and collaboratively with volunteers and staff. Agreement with and alignment to all RMHC-CNI rules, policies and protocols, including adherence to all safety/participation requirements. Capable of standing for each three-hour shift, and able to carry 35 pounds. Volunteers must be dependable, trustworthy, friendly and flexible.

 

Time Commitment and Scheduling:

Volunteers must commit to two set, recurring shifts per month for at least one year. Shifts are seven days a week, 10:00am-1:00pm, 1:00-4:00pm and 4:00-7:00pm.

 

Training and Support: 

Volunteers must complete an orientation session, background check and on-site shadow shift. Meal Helpers report to our culinary team and Volunteer Services Manager.

 

Next Steps:

Interested individuals can submit an application online: http://vhub.at/lurievolunteers.com

Purpose:  The Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Edward Hospital serves as a place of respite, care and comfort for families whose children are receiving medical treatment in the hospital.  The space is located within the pediatric unit and features a kitchenette, TV, shower, playroom and two sleep rooms.  Team Volunteers are integral to the day-to-day operations of the Family Room.  No two days as a Team Volunteer are alike, and these flexible, passionate individuals handle a variety of tasks to ensure things run smoothly for the families we serve. 

 Location: Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington Street, Naperville, IL, 60540

 Key Responsibilities:

Interact professionally with guests, other volunteers, donors, visitors and staff. Complete simple household tasks to maintain a clean and functional space.  Responsibilities vary widely but may include: cleaning, delivering/picking up laundry, sanitizing toys and changing light bulbs, as well as restocking or organizing common spaces, the pantry and storage areas. Work at the front desk to welcome and assist guests, accept donations, help with administrative projects and answer the phone. Help families by preparing sleep rooms for their arrival, answering basic questions and directing them throughout the Family Room. Help provide daily meals for families by picking up food from local restaurants (mid-day volunteers) and assisting with the setup and/or cleanup of meals. Assist with opening and/or closing the Family Room at the start and end of each day. Remain flexible and willing to complete wide-ranging tasks to meet current needs.

 Qualifications:

Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and able/willing to show proof of vaccination in order to participate at RMHC-CNI locations. Agreement with and alignment to all RMHC-CNI rules, policies and protocols, including our current, post-COVID participation requirements. Must be at least 18 years of age. Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with other volunteers and staff. Desire to create and maintain a caring and compassionate environment for guest families. Willingness to engage with and provide service to all families and visitors. Volunteers must be dependable, trustworthy, friendly and flexible. Must be capable of standing, squatting and carrying up to 35 pounds.

 Time Commitment and Scheduling:

Volunteers must commit to two set, recurring shifts each month for at least one year. Team Volunteer shifts occur M-F, 9:00am-12:00pm, 11:00am-2:00pm, 2:00-5:00pm and 5:00-8:00pm.

Training and Support:

Volunteers must complete both the RMHC-CNI and Edward Hospital onboarding requirements, including: orientation/info sessions, background checks, health screening/proof of vaccinations, and an on-site shadow shift. Team Volunteers report to the Ronald McDonald Family Room staff and Volunteer Services Manager.

 Applying:

Interested individuals can submit the online application: http://edwardvolunteers.rmhccni.volunteerhub.com/

 RMHC-CNI Contact:

Contact Westyn Garber, West Region Volunteer Services Manager, at wgarber@rmhccni.org.

Purpose: McDonald’s Round-Up Ambassadors garner support for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) by providing recognition to and making connections with local McDonald’s restaurant teams. McDonald’s Round-Up Ambassadors travel to area McDonald’s locations to share information with the employees about RMHC-CNI’s mission, to express gratitude for their support, and to boost their enthusiasm for Round-Up. By building strong relationships with the local restaurants, these volunteers ensure critical funds are raised through Round-Up, and ultimately make a deep and lasting impact on RMHC-CNI’s work. 

 

Location: Greater Chicagoland area (McDonald’s Round-Up Ambassadors travel to multiple restaurant locations). 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

Make monthly on-site restaurant visits to give incentives to McDonald’s teams, celebrating the funds they raise for RMHC-CNI through Round-Up.  Travel to varied Chicagoland McDonald’s restaurants to share information, materials and gratitude with their employees.  Take pictures with each restaurant team, sharing the photographs with RMHC-CNI staff to help promote the McDonald’s relationships.  Build RMHC-CNI relationships and recognition with McDonald’s locations, bolstering the organization’s partnership with local restaurant teams.  Grow restaurant team support of RMHC-CNI by speaking confidently about the organization’s purpose, mission, services and impact, and by providing resources/materials as requested. 

 

Qualifications: 

Must be at least 18 years of age (25 years of age if driving while volunteering).  Comfortable acting as an RMHC-CNI ambassador, representing the organization in the community.  Willing to interact and engage with McDonald’s restaurant team members.  Flexible and able to travel to/visit different restaurant locations each month.  Ability to work independently and maintain a high level of professionalism.  Access to reliable transportation to get to/from activities; willingness to complete and pay for an annual MVR, have a current driver’s license, insurance and a clean driving record (if driving while volunteering).  Must be dependable, trustworthy, friendly and flexible. 

 

Commitment: 

McDonald’s Round-Up Ambassadors make monthly visits to several McDonald’s restaurants. Restaurant locations vary, and volunteers travel to McDonald’s stores within a 50-mile radius of their starting point.  Shifts for McDonald Round-Up Ambassadors are either 9:30am-11:30am or 1:30pm-3:30pm.  

 

Training and Support:   

Volunteers must complete an orientation, background check, annual MVR, training session, and shadow shift.  McDonald’s Round-Up Ambassadors report to the RMHC-CNI Community Engagement and Development teams. 

Purpose: Community Ambassadors raise awareness of and support for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) by representing the organization at community-based events and partnership activities.  Community Ambassadors participate in opportunities to share RMHC-CNI’s mission, educate groups about ways to get involved, and grow the organization’s presence throughout Chicagoland.    

 

Location:  Greater Chicagoland area (Community Ambassadors participate at a variety of events and are not tied to any one location). 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

Represent RMHC-CNI at a variety of community-based activities, including: volunteer fairs, corporate service days, pop tab collections, school assemblies, third party fundraisers, etc.  Educate diverse audiences about RMHC-CNI by speaking confidently about the organization’s purpose, mission, services and impact.  Grow community-based support of RMHC-CNI by sharing ways to get involved and answering questions about the organization.  Manage the set-up, distribution and collection of collateral and materials at all events. 

 

Qualifications: 

Must be at least 18 years of age, or 25 years of age if utilizing a personal vehicle.   Comfortable with public speaking and representing RMHC-CNI at a wide variety of events.  Willing to interact and engage with community members and partner organizations.  Flexible and able to participate in events with varied locations, times, dates and audiences.  Ability to work independently and maintain a high level of professionalism.  Access to reliable transportation to get to/from activities; willingness to complete and pay for an annual MVR, have a current driver’s license, insurance and a clean driving record if utilizing a personal vehicle.  Must be dependable, trustworthy, friendly and flexible. 

 

Time Commitment: 

Community Ambassadors must volunteer for at least two events per calendar year. 

 

Training and Support:   

Volunteers must complete an orientation, background check, annual MVR (if using personal vehicle), and one training session.  Community Ambassadors report to the RMHC-CNI Community Engagement team. 

 

Applying: 

Interested individuals can submit an online application.  

 

RMHC-CNI Contact: Manager of Community Engagement 

Questions can be directed to Melanie Keen, Manager of Community Engagement, at mkeen@rmhccni.org.