New Victoria Hospital family room seeing lots of use, but needs volunteers
With construction finished on the new Ronald McDonald Family Room in Victoria Hospital, administrators have turned their attention to the next hurdle they need to clear: volunteers.
The organization recently put the call out for between 35 and 40 volunteers to perform a variety of tasks during the 12 hours a day the room is open.
Nadia Balytska, the family room coordinator, said it’s a great room to have, but it need proper staffing and maintenance from volunteers to really be effective.
“Without volunteers, this family room couldn’t exist,” she said. “They really are a very important part of the family room.”
The Ronald McDonald Family Room provides a place for parents to relax while a child is in the Victoria Hospital pediatric ward. It comes equipped with a kitchenette, small dining area, private bathroom and shower, laundry facilities, and a play area for children.
Since opening on Sept. 27, the room has served more than 180 families, an average of roughly six or seven a day.
Balytska said the busy first month showed just how important it was to have a solid volunteer base.
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