Little Pickle Press is committed to forging long lasting relationships with nonprofit organizations that provide for individuals in need regardless of where they are from, particularly when those in need are little pickles.
Ronald McDonald House in Manhattan provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families. The house, which is located on the Upper East Side and is in close proximity to many wonderful clinics, hospitals, and doctors specializing in cancer treatment, can accommodate 84 families. The house offers children and their families a warm and supportive environment where they can cook meals, do homework or rest in beautifully decorated common spaces located inside and outside the house. In warm whether, meals are served in a newly renovated garden patio, a true gem and luxury for Manhattan living. There are also activities that encourage getting out and enjoying sports and culture. Most nights the house is filled to capacity and more than 25,000 families have stayed there since it's founding. For more information, visit http://www.rmh-newyork.org.
In the fall of 2010, I met with Richard Martin, Director of Development, where we brainstormed about ways that Rana DiOrio's books, the What Does it Mean To Be…? series could be used to generate donations for the house. He walked me through the house where I was touched by what I saw. I observed families, who were clearly caring for a sick child, going about their lives in quiet, yet typical fashion. I saw a family preparing a meal together. I saw a child doing homework. I saw a father and son returning from a walk in the neighborhood. I also saw a bulletin board in the lobby that listed activities available in and around the house. The day I was there, residents were going apple picking just outside the city.
As we continued to talk about the various fundraising events that are planned by dedicated individuals at Ronald McDonald House, I learned about the Share a Night program that was being planned for December 2nd. It seemed just the right fit for Little Pickle Press, as it is a global celebration of the holidays: it is a house lighting party where there will be lighting of a Christmas tree, the Hanukkah menorah, and the kinara for Kwanzaa. There will also be games and music for the children.
Share a Night is in its fourth year and it offers New Yorkers an opportunity to share in a celebration with residents of the house. Money raised that night goes directly toward bridging the gap between the nominal fee of $35.00/night that families are asked to pay and the actual cost of their stay. Through the Share a Night program, families from all over the world can continue to receive the gift of a warm and supportive home away from home during the holidays and while caring for a sick child.
For more information contact Natalie Greaves.
You can also connect at Twitter and Facebook for all the latest news about Ronald McDonald House in New York.
4 comments:
Reading this, I had tears running down my face...in appreciation and gratitude for the good health of my own children and with sympathy, and admiration for the parents that face an illness with their child. God bless these little pickles, their parents and their doctors that care for them.
Thank you Maria for a wonderful education about this program.
Thank you, Ronald McDonald House, for the important work that you are doing. Thank you, Maria, for making it happen for LPP.
What a beautiful message. You have hit a perfect blend og+f sharing, giving and caring, all in the same event. Congratulations.
For those of you over at Facebook - so are all the Ronald McDonald Houses all over the world. You can find your favorites and hit the "like" button. Connecting in this way makes it easy to keep up with fundraising events and other news about how to support them.
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