While cooking dinner as part of the Ronald McDonald House South Island (RMHSI) Family Dinner Programme, Ray White Full Circle recognised the kitchen was in desperate need of some love. For the past month, the team at Ray White Full Circle have been on a mission to fundraise to buy new ovens, range hoods and kitchenware in order to give the kitchen a revamp before Christmas Dinner is served in December.
RMHSI provided Ray White with a comprehensive list of what was needed which includes everything from cooking utensils, to pots and pans, and big items like ovens. Every dollar donated to this cause will make a difference!
RMHSI are fortunate to have the Family Dinner Programme running almost every night this year, after all, the kitchen is the hub of the house. This is when volunteer groups and businesses come into the House to cook dinner for the families who are staying there, sometimes as many as 75 people, and is a key service they are able to provide.
RMHSI also has many volunteers who come in to bake and prepare meals to freeze for families who just don’t have time to do it themselves when caring for their hospitalised child.
The kitchen is utilised by families who might simply want to feel like they’re at home by doing every day tasks such as baking or cooking in between visits to the hospital.
Needless to say, the kitchen is well used.
Last week, Ray White Full Circle had an Auction Gala, raising over $5,000 to replace all of the ovens, and approached a company who have offered their services to remove and install all of the ovens and take away the old ones!
Additionally, from the donations raised at the auction, busking and via the website, they have a little bit extra to fulfil the utensils needed too!
‘It’s great to be able to help an organisation where you can see where your dollar is going,’ said Julie Robb, Principal at Ray White Full Circle.
RMHSI representative said, ‘Thank you for helping us to support families when their child is in a hospital away from home.’
Ray White Full Circle don’t intend to stop fundraising for the kitchen until it’s equipped with more equipment to help the families, they’re holding a kids Christmas party later this month where all proceeds from that event will also be donated to the kitchen fundraiser.
If you’d like to suppose this cause, please visit the donation page here.