Employees of ADP Pasadena donated furniture they assembled themselves, and a check for $5,000, to the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House during a team-building activity Tuesday at the Westin Pasadena Hotel.
Elizabeth Dever, Director of the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, said about 100 ADP employees first heard to a presentation by Victoria Kemp, Manager for Special Events at Ronald McDonald House, about their charity programs and how individuals and organizations could help.
The employees then broke up into groups, and competed in the assembly of furniture for the Ronald McDonald House.
“All of the people who were there were in their sales team, so they broke up into a number of different groups, competing against each other and they each had to assemble a dining room table, four chairs, and a bedside table,” Dever said.
After dinner, the ADP group presented a $5,000 check to the Ronald McDonald House staff.
“So, in addition to the actual like physical hands on work, they wanted their foundation to get involved and the contribution as well,” Dever said. “The staff members from ADP were so gracious and they really wanted to help and do something meaningful.”
Dever added the money will go the foundation’s operating expenses.
The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House continues to encourage companies and groups to get involved with their projects. The House also serves as a home away from home for families who have children receiving medical care at local hospitals.
“Our primary partners are Huntington Hospital, which is right across the street, but we also work with City of Hope, Shriners Hospital for Children in Los Angeles and soon in Pasadena (Shriners is currently constructing a new children’s medical center in Pasadena).” Dever said. “We work with County USC UCLA Medical Center as well as sometimes Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.”
The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House has 12 bedrooms and is located across the street from Huntington Memorial Hospital. Families staying at the House have access to a fully stocked pantry, meals prepared by volunteer groups, computers, a large yard with outdoor seating and a playground.
Activities are coordinated by the House with volunteer groups to help families cope while their child is receiving treatment. The activities include recreational activities and parties, and oftentimes per therapy.
Since it opened on Valentine’s Day in 2004, the House has served more than 20,400 children and their families.
The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House is a program of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California. For more information, visit www.rmhcsc.org/Pasadena.
