San Diego CA— Driven by her personal medical experience as a child, dedicated Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego volunteer and Escondido resident Debbie Day has supported the organization for the last seven years and continues to adapt her volunteerism through the pandemic as the House relies on a small but loyal group of volunteers.
Since Debbie loves to drive, her volunteerism began by chauffeuring families served by the House to places of need. From bringing families to local stores so they could shop for personal items or taking kids attending the House’s on-site TK-12 school to field trips at parks and museums, Debbie used her passion for road trips to give back. When the House’s fundraisers occurred throughout the year, Debbie made sure to sign up as a volunteer to support these endeavors to diversify her support. Debbie is currently volunteering her time at the House’s front desk but jumps in to help in any areas of the House that might need assistance.
Debbie’s connection to the cause is personal. She understands how much other parents need help staying strong for infants with life-threatening conditions because Debbie was born with multiple heart defects. Doctors told her parents she required open-heart surgery, which she received when she was six months old, in the early ’60s when such surgeries on infants were still experimental.
“Back then, there wasn’t a support network for moms and dads whose children were having surgery,” said Debbie. “Wouldn’t it be great if my parents could have had the Ronald McDonald House?”
Today she is a happy, healthy mother with three children and five grandchildren, whom she has introduced to the House and encouraged to volunteer as well.
Volunteers at Ronald McDonald House, like Debbie, help strengthen families and bolster their psychological well-being during difficult times by keeping families together regardless of their situation or ability to pay.