CHARLOTTE, N.C.—September 8, 2009—The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of
Charlotte is looking for high school students to serve on its first
Teen Volunteer Board.
Students, who join the Board, will serve as their school's ambassador
for the charity. They will be instrumental in creating a volunteer
night programs for other teenagers, helping recruit other student
volunteers and leading their peers in charitable service.
"Our area teenagers are an incredible untapped resource for planning
strategies, innovative ideas and hard work," said Ari Harris, RMH of
Charlotte's Community Outreach Director. "Our current teen volunteers
constantly amaze us with their willingness to put their skills and
talents to work for the families of RMH. When they get older and see
the House completed, they'll be able to say, 'I helped build that
House.'"
To become a member of the Board, students must:
• be currently enrolled in a Charlotte-area high school as a junior
or senior
• maintain good standing at their school
• be able to attend monthly meetings
• have reliable transportation to and from meetings and events
The RMH of Charlotte will be the first House in the state with a
volunteer board dedicated for high school students. Teen Volunteer
Board applications are due to the RMH of Charlotte on Friday, Sept.
25, 2009 at 5 p.m. To acquire an application, please contact Ari
Harris by calling 704-335-1191 or emailing ariharris@rmhofcharlotte.org.
About the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte
Currently, Charlotte is the only major US city that does not have a
RMH. The RMH of Charlotte is scheduled to open sometime in 2010 and
will serve the families of children being treated at Levine Children's
Hospital and Hemby Children's Hospital. Located on the 1600 block of
East Morehead Street on land donated by Carolinas Medical Center, the
House will feature approximately 35,000 square feet of living space
complete with 28 bedrooms (one family per bedroom/suite), providing
more than 10,000 nights for the families. It is also scheduled to
have a community kitchen, great room, learning center, playground and
sitting porch. Construction will hopefully begin in this year. The
RMH of Charlotte is an independent 501 (c) (3) charity managed by a
local board of directors which will oversee construction and operation
of the home. The cost of building and operating the RMH of Charlotte
will come primarily from individual and corporate donations. The RMH
of Charlotte will be funded, constructed and operated by the Charlotte
community. The mission of the RMH of Charlotte is to provide the
families of children being treated in area medical facilities with a
safe, affordable and caring "home away from home." For more
information on RMH of Charlotte, visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org.
