Ronald McDonald House Charities
A friendly smile, a giving hand, a peace of mind-this is
Ronald McDonald House Charities. 17
years ago my journey started with my platform, Ronald McDonald House Charities,
and I would just like to share with you my story with this wonderful
organization.
At the age of 11, my grade school friend’s sister, Kelly was
diagnosed with cancer at the age of three.
She fought a hard battle and went into remission. However, the cancer
came back and unfortunately at the age of five she passed away. While Kelly was receiving treatments in Sioux
City, Iowa, my friend, her sister-Shelby would sometimes go to the local Ronald
McDonald House there in Sioux City where her family would stay. I remember we
were there one weekend dropping off food in the kitchen area and I just
happened to ask Kathy, Shelby and Kelly’s mom, why they stayed there. After all, our small town was only 30 minutes
away. I remember her saying that staying
at the RMHC house allowed them more precious time with Kelly that they would
not get back.
Since that time, I have devoted a piece of my life to Ronald
McDonald House Charities. I have
volunteered at various RMHC houses wherever I have lived and wherever my
travels have taken me. After
volunteering in Sioux City, Iowa through grade school, I then volunteered in
Phoenix, Arizona while I attended Arizona State University. During college, I joined Alpha Delta Pi
Sorority whose national philanthropy is Ronald McDonald House Charities. Being a member of my sorority has given me
more opportunities to give back to RMHC.
When I moved to North Dakota after college, I began volunteering at the
RMHC houses in Bismarck and Fargo.
Through my travels, I have volunteered at RMHC houses in
Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Today, I manage the social media accounts for the RMHC house in Bismarck
and do grant writing. I also still do
various volunteer tasks for the house that I have always done: cooking,
cleaning, baking, office work, and anything else the house needs for
assistance. Volunteering and being an advocate for RMHC has taught me many life
lessons. The most important lesson that
I have taken away from all of my experiences with the organization is to live
life with gratitude. Be thankful for
what you have in life and be the support to someone else who needs it. There is always someone you may or may not
cross paths with in your lifetime that has struggles greater than yours.
I am humbled and excited to continue my service for RMHC and
give them to recognition they deserve through out my reign and beyond. I am also excited to extend my travels to
visit and assist in other RMHC houses across the country and internationally.
With Gratitude,
Laura Schmidt
Mrs. North Dakota International 2018
“A Giving Hand, that’s
RMHC”
