Volunteers help make Christmas at Ronald McDonald House a Little Brighter
By Pasadena Independent
Published: Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Every time our flash went off when taking an image, there was laughter and applause coming from Arbila Al-Zaweeti on Sunday. Arbila was perhaps more excited by the short burst of light and attention than the actual process of making her Gingerbread house Sunday in Pasadena.
Arbila’s laughter was highly contagious. Everyone in the room started laughing .You’d never know this child and the others in the room had any illness whatsoever.
Arbila was one of a handful of children, residents of the Ronald McDonald house in Pasadena, who made unique candy houses using graham crackers, candy and lots of love. Arbila’s mom, Marleen, along with volunteers Ashley Andrews and Andrea Olivas, helped other moms like Nancy Marquez, Lorena Alvarez, Nhung Thi Phung and Rose Anna Gilbert get their minds off their child’s illness for a little time at least while making these gingerbread houses!
The handmade homes will be on display in the Ronald McDonald house thorough the hioliday season
Children at the Ronald McDonald House Pasadena got a chance to make Ginger Bread Candy houses Sunday afternoon with the help of a few dedicated volunteers.
Melanie Alvarez, 4, works on her Gingerbread house Sunday afternoon
The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House provides a community supported “home away from home” for families coming into Pasadena seeking advanced medical treatment for their critically or terminally ill children. Premature births, cancer and other critical illnesses can put unimaginable stress on a family. In addition, many people must travel great distances looking for treatments and answers not found near their home.
In addition to lodging, they also provide:A fully-stocked kitchen and pantry for preparing meals;
Volunteer groups to cook a Meal of Love dinner 10-15 times per month;
Volunteer groups to arrange special in-house activities;
Healing and fun pet visits through our Susan & Annie Dietrich Puppy Love Program;
Child care resources through the CCIS Families in Crisis program and the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club;
Clothing gift certificates for the Pasadena Salvation Army;
Educational services for patients and siblings through Pasadena Unified School District;
Supportive care for patients, siblings and parents through community resource groups and our Family Care Coordinator;
Religious connections through our Church and Temple program; Video chat capability through Skype and iMac technology
American Cancer Society, The Desi Geestman Foundation, Haven House, CCIS and the Union Station Foundation.
With each child that finds hope at one of our 19 medical centers, a parent or caregiver comes along to give them the comfort and support they need. The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, across from Huntington Memorial Hospital, provides families a place of warmth and comfort.
Hospitals served:
* Alhambra Behavior Health Center
* Brain Mapping & Epilepsy Center
* California Hospital
* Cedars Sinai Medical Center
* Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
* City of Hope
* Doheny Eye Institute
* Glendale Adventist Medical Center
* Glendale Memorial Hospital
* Huntington Hospital
* Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital
* House Ear Institute
* Kaiser Sunset Medical Center
* LAC+USC Medical Center
* Methodist Hospital of Arcadia
* Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center
* Shriners Orthopeadic Hospital
* San Gabriel Valley Medical Center
* UCLA Medical Center
* Verdugo Hills Medical Center
The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House offers a positive environment for families seeking privacy and the supportive fellowship of others. Children are able to interact with other children facing challenging health conditions and participate in both organized and leisure play. Parents and caregivers find support in the kitchen during meal preparation or over a cup of coffee in the garden. Families are free to express their hopes and fears and share experiences with one another. This type of unmatched support helps to ease fears, provide perspective and can often lead to lasting friendships. Debbie Orfino, our Family Care Coordinator is available for patient, sibling and parent support care.
By Terry Miler
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