Our volunteers

Meet Lance from ASB

ASB Private Bank Manager, Lance Hutchison is now in his third year of volunteering his time to cook and coordinate a team of ASB staff for our weekly family dinners.

ASB Bank became our new bankers in 2006 — “We wanted to be more than just ‘bankers to the Trust‘, hence the ASB Volunteer Cooking Project was born.” Having put a call out amongst ASB Auckland Central staff for more volunteers to assist with the Family Dinner programme, Lance now has a waiting list of employees a mile long.

The dinners are no easy feat. As Lance points out, “With about 12 staff volunteering for each dinner and the shopping and preparation time, we would collectively volunteer about 80 hours per dinner!” And what a feast they deliver! Every six weeks families get to enjoy the culinary talents of the ASB cooking group — from roast chickens to BBQs, not to mention the yummy cheesecakes.

Aside from his day job at ASB Bank and being a valued volunteer at the House, Lance also devotes his time to being a marriage celebrant, a Justice of the Peace, mentor, and played a big part in the establishment of Harold (the giraffe mascot) and the Life Education Trust in Auckland which he is still heavily involved with. We are very lucky to have him!

New Barbeques

Thanks to Kingdom Trust, ASB and Lance, Mitre 10 Warkworth the House’s volunteer cooks have 5 new barbeques just in time for our 14th birthday and the summer season.

Angela

For almost a year Angela Dwyer has been a vital support to our onsite teacher, Marion, and teacher aide, Jocelyn, by regularly volunteering in our School.

Angela keeps the classroom looking beautiful by freshening up the walls with the children’s artwork, assisting with administration and encouraging children’s creative minds by getting stuck in with our art sessions.

One of the greatest benefits of being part of the House, Angela says “has been getting to know some of the amazing, brave and resilient children… When I first heard about Ronald McDonald houses many years ago I thought what a wonderful concept it was and now I have a little spare time I’m glad to be able to be involved in a small way.”

Angela manages to fit her weekly voluntary work in around two part time jobs and a number hobbies including studying her genealogy and, more recently, training and competing in her first duathalon. Way to go Angela!

Leigh

Since May 2007 Leigh has been gifting three hours of her time each week to our House and Family Room.

Every Sunday evening Leigh supports our Weekend Supervisor by answering the phones, greeting arriving families, assisting departing families, lugging around port-a-cots and trundling linen to rooms, tidying the kitchens and living areas and helping out with day-to-day administration. Leigh has also, on request, filled in as Shift Supervisor for the Family Room in Starship.

“I’ve always thought Ronald McDonald House was a great facility that provides an amazing service for families when they need it most. I work in a fairly corporate environment and was looking for a way to give a little back …Volunteering has enriched my life. I love feeling like I’ve done something really useful with my week,” says Leigh.

Leigh’s dedication to the House means that she juggles her volunteer work with full time employment, spending quality time with friends and family, and some tough DIY work in her hard-earned new home!