Volunteer
Each and every one of our volunteers plays a major role in our mission
to keep families near their sick children.
They are here to lessen the burdens these families face and
I could not be more grateful for this support.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are essential to providing families comfort and support during their stay at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley.
• • •
By sharing their talents, time, and hearts, volunteers truly make our house feel like a home for our guest families.
Guest Services Volunteer Shifts
We depend on our Guest Services Volunteers to commit to regularly scheduled shifts. Most guest services volunteers serve one 2-3 hour segment per week. We prefer that new volunteers commit to a minimum of three months of service.
Guest Services Volunteer Application & Qualifications
- Volunteer Application Form
- criminal background check
- interview
Guest Services Volunteers
Guest Services Volunteers serve as regular Volunteers in our Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programs in order to provide care and support to the families we serve. Volunteering in our programs is both a rewarding and challenging responsibility.
Guest Services Opportunities include those listed below:
Heartwarmer volunteers:
- help keep the House tidy
- clean and stock the kitchen
- prepare guest rooms and do laundry
- assist with inventory and sorting
- complete special projects
Shifts are available every day of the week during day and evening hours
Ronald McDonald Family Room volunteers:
- provide a warm, friendly, and supportive environment for families who have babies in the NICU at Essentia Health.
- help keep the Family Room neat and tidy
- restock snacks and beverages
- Please note: Family Room volunteers need to complete additional requirements per Essentia Health prior to being approved.
Share-A-Meal & Baking
We loved how the volunteers would bring in meals for everyone
It was so nice knowing that we didn't have to worry about finding something to eat after a long day at the hospital.
“We loved how the volunteers would bring in meals for everyone.
It was so nice knowing that we didn’t have to worry
about finding something to eat after a long day at the hospital.”
– Bush Family, 19 nights at the House –
Meals are an important way for us to care for our RMHC families.
Please email volunteer@rmhcfargo.org or call 701-232-3980 to find a date that works and to discuss details.
We are so grateful for your continued support in creating a “home away from home.”
Making a Meal
- Plan to cook for 10-12 adults
- Meals must be prepared on-site in our volunteer kitchen
- We ask that meals be ready by 5:30 pm. If this time is a barrier for you, we are flexible – please let us know so we can adjust accordingly.
- You are responsible for planning the meal and providing the grocery items needed.
- Note: Before the meal, you may inquire about condiments or common items we may have in stock for you to use.
- We have a fully stocked kitchen with basic preparation items. If your meal requires something specialized, you may bring in your own kitchen tools.
- We ask you to clean the kitchen when you are finished cooking and preparing the food for serving. We will take care of storing any leftover food from the meal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who makes the meals?
Answer: You, of course! We are so grateful to our community for stepping up to prepare meals for our families.
How often are meals made for the families?
Answer: Our goal is to have meals prepared for each weekday evening.
What should I make?
Answer: We encourage you to make your favorite family meals.You know that special meatball recipe you got from grandma? That would be a good option! Or those bars that your mom makes? That would be a favorite! That award-winning chili recipe you make every year on the first snowfall? We think that’d be a BIG hit!
I’m still not sure what to make!
Answer: Here are some ideas to get started with your meal-planning:
- Pull pork sandwiches
- BBQ & Chips
- Chicken and Rice
- Roast beef & potatoes
- Pasta Salad
- Lasagna
- Tator tot hotdish
- Enchiladas
- Spaghetti & Meatballs
- Hamburger & Brats
Can I order delivery or drop off a purchased meal?
Answer: Yes, you may order delivery or drop off a purchased meal that is prepared by a caterer or a restaurant with a commercial-prep kitchen.
- Baking
- Plan to prepare 2 dozen of your favorite baked goods
- Must be prepared on-site in our kitchen
- Our volunteer kitchen is reserved for bakers from 9-11 am or by special appointment.
We are happy to be flexible! - Please label the goods if you use nuts or other common allergy-prone ingredients.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Volunteers are essential to providing families comfort and support
during their stay at the Ronald McDonald House.
With the help of volunteers, we are able to expand the ways we serve families.
Cleaning slots are available at various times.
Please reach out to volunteer@rmhcfargo.org
for information on timing.
Indoor cleaning projects include:
- sweeping
- mopping
- vacuuming
- dusting
- sanitizing
- deep cleaning
Various outdoor projects are available depending on the season including:
- picking up trash
- weeding
- assisting with plants
- raking
- other outdoor tasks, as needed
Maintenance volunteers complete a variety of jobs including:
- minor repairs
- painting
- assembling items
- other projects as needed
Maintenance volunteers are needed on an as-needed basis, mostly during the workday Monday – Friday.
Special Event Volunteers
Over the course of the year, we host various events to engage the community in our mission and fuel our ability to help sick kids and their families. Extra hands (and hearts) are needed to serve on the planning committee and help on event day. These high-impact events are a great way to network, have fun, and experience the joy of our mission.
- Host a special event at the Ronald McDonald House. Options include: craft nights, art projects, yoga classes, and more
- Perform a concert for our families. We have a piano onsite or you can bring your instruments or voice to entertain our families.
- Pet therapy (must be certified by Therapy Dogs International or Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs)
Notes:
- Please bring any equipment or materials you will need with you. We do have an electronic piano onsite that you can use.
- Home-baked foods cannot be brought into our House. If edible items are required for your activity, those items must be store bought and shelf stable.
- Unfortunately, we cannot predict the number of people who will participate in your activity. The health and hospital schedules of our guests can fluctuate daily. Because a majority of the children are inpatient, you can expect somewhere between one and twenty people (kids and adults) to attend. Ages will vary from infant to adult.
- To respect the varied faiths and backgrounds in our House, all programs should be non-denominational.
- We typically schedule activity times with an arrival at 6:30 p.m. to set up and start around 7 p.m. If this doesn’t work, please reach out to us at volunteer@rmhcfargo.org to discuss options.
- Please limit your group size to no more than 7 people.
- Please note that we are unable to support community restitution or court-ordered volunteers at this time.
Fundraising Events:
Assist at one of our fundraising events –
Volunteers can help in the planning or day-of execution.
Kid's Volunteer Opportunities
Individuals under 18 years of age are encouraged
to help by volunteering in support of our mission.
Adult supervision of kids is required at all times.
“We loved how the volunteers would bring in meals for everyone.
It was so nice knowing that we didn’t have to worry
about finding something to eat after a long day at the hospital.”
– Bush Family, 19 nights at the House –
Meals are an important way for us to care for our RMHC families.
Click HERE to find out more!
- Baking
- Plan to prepare 2 dozen of your favorite baked goods
- Must be prepared on-site in our kitchen
- Preference is given to those available between 9:30 – 11:00 am. However, we can be flexible with your availability.
- Please label the goods if you use nuts or other common allergy-prone ingredients.
Answer: Yes, you may order delivery or drop off purchased baked items that are prepared by a caterer or a restaurant with a commercial-prep kitchen.
Your pop tabs make a big difference for families!
It’s a small gesture, but collecting pop can tabs can make a big difference! In fact, because of people like you saving your pop tabs, over $3,000.00 is raised each year for the House. These funds help support our House and have a significant impact on the families we serve.
Saving pop tabs is easy and fun! Schools, churches, scout troops, businesses, neighbors, and families have all enjoyed collecting pop tabs, knowing that they are making a difference.
Click HERE to find out more!
- Decorate an ornament for our Holiday Giving Tree • Download the printable ornament graphics • After you color and cut out the ornaments, return them to the Ronald McDonald House
- Make tie blankets to bring comfort and warmth to our families
- Create cards or notes for family mailboxes to lift our families up
- Decorate and fill grab-n-go snack bags so families have sustenance for a long day at the hospital
- Share your musical talents and perform for our families at the Ronald McDonald House to brighten someone’s day.
- Assist with light housekeeping projects at the Ronald McDonald House to help keep everything neat and tidy