As we are gearing up for McDazzle 2015, it seems almost impossible that this will be my fifth time working the event. At just 20 years old I walked through these doors, a young, bright-eyed, kid. Let’s just say it was so long ago, that I was very excited about my new Blackberry…no offense Hal.

I have learned more here than I ever could in a classroom, and I learn more every day.These employees are some of my best friends. I have cried for families and I have cheered for them as they have triumphed. I have found friends in volunteers and the greatest support system ever known.

It has come to my attention recently that I am the “middle child” here now. There are four coworkers who have worked here longer and four newer employees. I sit in the cusp of not having the freshest eyes and yet not having all of the experiences of the others. Maybe that gives me an excuse for some middle child tantrums…probably not…

So far, I have visited Ronald McDonald Houses in Chicago, Austin TX, Indianapolis, Evansville, Charleston & Huntington WV, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Lexington, Chatanooga, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Columbus. (Just to give you an idea of how many more I have to go, there are 346 Houses, 180 in the U.S. alone.)

I have performed duties in program management, volunteer management, development, event management, administrative, and a short time helping in finance (I like to call that the dark times).

I’ve danced and I’ve ran, all in the name of RMHCK.

I have made mistakes, I have succeeded, I have gotten in over my head, and I have had so much fun. In four+ years, there have been many hairstyles, I have accumulated an entire closet full of RMH branded gear, and I can’t think of a better place to grow up.

 

Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and helping families.

~Becca