Twice a week, San Marcos retiree Richard Ellis heads to our Ronald McDonald House to begin his morning shift as a volunteer driver. He laughs, “If it’s good for my wife, it’s good for me.”
But it’s more than that. His daughter volunteered at the Tennessee Ronald McDonald House, and three years ago, she passed away. Talking with her fellow volunteers gave him the idea of seeing what he might do back in San Diego.
Now he’s picking up food and retail donations for us from around the county—things that keep our House running smoothly. “He’s always willing to lend a helping hand,” says House Manager Kerrina Koltz. “We sure appreciate him!”
And we missed him during his absence. A heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery last fall led to a six-month break for recovery. He now regularly logs 15 miles on his fitness tracker—covering ground by foot as well as on the road driving for us again.
Some people think the Ronald McDonald House is fully supported by McDonald’s. But that’s not the case—it’s a real community effort. It’s worth supporting.
Would you like to drive for the Ronald McDonald House? Contact our volunteer coordinator to learn more about what’s needed and how to apply.
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