On the 6th February, the Salt Sydney team travelled to Ronald Mcdonald House in Randwick to take part in their home for dinners scheme. Ronald Mcdonald House provides a home away from home for families with children in life-threatening positions. Guests can be living in the house for up to 7 months, unrelentingly worrying and caring for their child. Salt, a global, award-winning digital recruitment agency thought this would be a great opportunity to relieve some of the everyday pressures of these families in need of some comfort and care.
The week leading up to the event, the Sydney office clubbed together in teams to decide the meals that we thought would provide the most enjoyment and relief for the guests of Ronald Mcdonald House. After much deliberation, we decided on a Beef Stir Fry, Chicken a la King, Chicken Fettuccine, Beetroot Risotto, Pasta Bake and for dessert, apple crumble, brownies and tiramisu.
We began the afternoon with a tour of the house, exploring not only where the children play and relax, but also where the parents and families get to enjoy a ‘quiet space’ in order to truly unwind from their current demanding day to day. At this point, the team were faced with the reality of what these families face every day! We then were welcomed into the rooms to gain an insight into the families living arrangements where often 7 members of the family are housed at one time. The Salt team were in awe of the teaching facilities in order to keep the children up to date with school work, as some of the residents are at such a critical stage in their education. Ronald Mcdonald acts as a facilitator between the hospitals and the educators to ensure the children don’t fall behind during this traumatic and draining time.
The team then motivated, began to cook. The pressure was on to ensure that we had provided adequate meals for these struggling families and were told up to 70 patrons would be eating. Presenting the meals to the guests was not only rewarding but humbling as some guests were happy to share their moving and heart-breaking stories, leaving the team lost for words. Leaving Ronald McDonald House, we felt rewarded, but also reflective upon the family’s positions, grateful that we were welcomed into the lives of the guests of Ronald Mcdonald House.
To learn more about the wonderful work Ronald Mcdonald House do click here.
