The Ray White Bayfair team recently decided to cook for the families at Ronald McDonald House, Auckland – over 200 kilometers away.
Ronald McDonald House is New Zealand’s premiere family charity which takes care of 120 families each night, from all over New Zealand, whose children require specialist hospital treatment in another city. Their Houses provide more than just free accommodation; they offer a wider support programme to help alleviate the emotional, financial and practical burdens a family may face. With families often so focused on their hospitalised child they forget to look after themselves which is why Ronald McDonald House run the volunteer cooking program – aimed at ensuring that after a long day on the hospital ward, families can come back to a warm and nourishing meal.
Led by business owner David Hart the enthusiastic Ray White Bayfair team travelled by bus from their Mount Maunganui Office to the Ronald McDonald House in Auckland. After an early morning departure the team of salespeople, property managers and administrators arrived over two hours later laden with bags of food for the night’s cooking.
“Only a few of our team were unable to attend on the day and the idea was well received by everyone” says David. “It was a great day, and a great thing to do! I felt such a great amount of pride when I stepped back and looked around me – watching the team work together for the benefit of these families.”
The office, who regularly support local schools and charities in their area, also collected for Ronald McDonald House in the national street appeal in June this year. While David himself has cooked for the families at Ronald McDonald House it was a new experience for many of the team – one commenting that it “really brought home the importance of Ronald McDonald Houses in our community.” – Something which fellow team member Mike Le Prou, a licensee salesperson with Ray White Bayfair, understands after recently staying at the House himself with his granddaughter who was undergoing medical treatment.
Carey Smith, CEO of Ray White New Zealand says “it is always humbling to see our members not only support Ronald McDonald Houses, but really get involved and help bring awareness of the charity home to so many. When you see what these families are going through it is easy to see why Ronald McDonald Houses really are the most valuable houses in New Zealand.”
Ray White Bayfair will also be taking part in the Little Ray of Giving Campaign that Ray White has launched nationally across New Zealand. An inspiring Christmas campaign for New Zealand families who may need a little extra light in their festive season, A Little Ray of Giving will launch across New Zealand and Australia later this month with New Zealanders being asked to dig deep to put smiles on the faces of some special children in their community. “Riding off the support for the Ronald McDonald House Street Appeal held nationally in June, we are excited to to have another chance to help keep Kiwi families together when they need it most” says Carey Smith. “Ray White offices will be asking people to drop in donated presents to their offices for families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses nationwide. The gift drive is a simple way to help families who may have their mind on more pressing issues at this time of year. Sometimes just a small gift can make the biggest difference to someone in need at Christmas.”