Editor´s note: The following is a guest post from Clara Carrier from the Ronald McDonald House of Charities
After thirteen years as a Colombian-American, life in the U.S. has come with many challenges, but also very gratifying experiences. One of these is my own job. Yes, you read it right, my very own trabajo. For the first time in many years, I am able to dedicate my time and efforts to further a mission of improving the health and well being of children and their families.
The thought of having my five year-old son Nico face a seriously illness or being very sick, breaks my heart. I can’t even picture myself, my familia, dealing with that situation. I am sure this feeling is one that only Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) families in fact know about.
This is what RMHC does; this organization – dear to my heart – provides stability and vital resources for families so they can get and keep their child healthy and happy. This organization has changed my life in meaningful ways, and it could change tu vida también. Just keep reading and you’ll find out how!
My work at RMHC is truly una bendicion. Both professionally and personally, working at RMHC has been an opportunity for me to learn, grow and become a better professional, but most important, a better person. Through my daily tasks and responsibilities, and as an RMHC volunteer, I am able to make a difference in the lives of these children and families. I can go to bed every night feeling good about myself, and guess what — you can feel that way too.
At work, we are tan contentos! We just launched our first campaign of the year — a celebration of existing and a call-to-recruit new RMHC volunteers! So throughout April, we are honoring RMHC volunteers and also encouraging people like you to use your time and talent to make a difference in your comunidad, and a way to teach your hijos the value of giving back and social responsibility.
We have a network of more than 30,000 staff and volunteers that pitch in every day to make our programs, like the Ronald McDonald House, run smoothly. Honestly, los voluntarios de RMHC are the backbone of our organization – they save our system more than $40 million in costs every year and ensure that families have more time together when their child is in the hospital – time that helps in the healing process.
I have volunteered with my son Nico and it has been an unforgettable experience. I invite you to learn more about RMHC and get involved. Es muy fácil:
1. Go to www.rmhc.org to take a tour of a virtual Ronald McDonald House – see all the ways that volunteers lend a hand around the House.
2. So what can you do as a volunteer? Simple. You can cook deliciosos platillos, bake galleticas dulces, fundraise, clean, craft or garden for the families at a Ronald McDonald House. There are thousands of volunteer opportunities, you can get your family involved, and it’s easy to find one in your community – search at www.rmhc.org.
3. And once you volunteer, you can tell el mundo entero about your support of the RMHC families by tagging yourself as an RMHC volunteer on our Facebook page.
4. Necesitas más inspiración? Browse through a cache of amazing RMHC volunteer stories that are pretty inspirational. If you are 9 or 92 years young and anywhere in between, at RMHC it is so easy to volunteer, and everyone is welcome!
Whether it’s cooking, cleaning or crafting – your support helps families find strength when they need it most. This is why I am sharing my historia with you today. Gracias to the Spanglish Baby team for allowing me to share my story with you, as I hope it will help amplify that impact RMHC has in the lives of 4.5 million families and children around the world, and inspire other people to get involved. We couldn’t do it without you.
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