Who They Are
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2012 in Twin Falls, Idaho. The organization’s mission is to ensure that no child in the United States has to sleep on the floor, by providing handmade bunk beds to children who do not have a bed of their own.

What They Do
SHP relies on volunteers to build and deliver the bunk beds, and also accepts donations of materials and funds to support its efforts. The organization has chapters in many states across the United States, and has delivered thousands of beds to children in need.  SHP believes that providing a bed for a child can have a positive impact on their overall well-being, and can help them to feel more secure and comfortable in their home environment.

Returning The Favor
In 2018, Sleep in Heavenly Peace was featured in Mike Rowe’s Facebook series called “Returning The Favor”.  After the broadcast the number of SHP chapters exploded – from 9 back in 2018 to nearly 300 today.  CLICK HERE to watch the episode (about 20 minutes).

Who They Are
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is a Catholic lay organization that was founded in Paris, France in 1833 by a group of Catholic students led by Frederic Ozanam. The society is named after St. Vincent de Paul, a 17th-century French priest known for his work with the poor.

What They Do
The mission of the SSVP is to serve those in need, regardless of their race, religion, or background. The organization operates through a network of local groups, called “conferences,” which are typically affiliated with Catholic parishes. Members of the society, known as “Vincentians,” volunteer their time and resources to help individuals and families who are struggling with poverty, homelessness, or other forms of hardship.

Services They Provide
SVDP provides a range of services to those in need, including food assistance, clothing, housing assistance, and financial support. In addition to its direct service work, the society also advocates for systemic change to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.

Worldwide Impact
Today, the SVDP has a presence in over 150 countries around the world, with more than 800,000 members. The organization is recognized as one of the largest and most effective Catholic charities in the world.

Volunteer Opportunities
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, depending on the needs of the local community and the skills and interests of the volunteers. Some examples of volunteer opportunities with the SVDP include:

1. Food Pantry Assistance: Volunteers can assist with stocking and organizing the food pantry, distributing food to clients, and helping to coordinate food drives.
2. Thrift Store: Volunteers can help with sorting donations, pricing items, and staffing the store.
3. Home Visits: Volunteers can visit clients in their homes to provide emotional support, assess their needs, and help connect them with resources in the community.
4. Financial Assistance: Volunteers can help with fundraising efforts or assist with financial counseling and budgeting for clients in need.
5. Youth Programs: Volunteers can help organize and lead youth programs, such as after-school tutoring or summer camps, for children in need.
6. Disaster Relief: Volunteers can assist with disaster relief efforts, such as providing shelter, food, and clothing to those affected by natural disasters.
7. Advocacy: Volunteers can advocate for policies and programs that address the root causes of poverty and inequality, such as affordable housing, access to healthcare, and fair wages.

Volunteers can contact their local SVDP conference to learn more about specific opportunities in their area.  CLICK HERE (coming soon) for a list of the St. Vincent de Paul Conferences near you.

Who They Are
The Ronald McDonald House is a non-profit organization that provides housing for families with critically ill or injured children who are receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals. The first Ronald McDonald House was established in Philadelphia in 1974, and since then, the organization has expanded to include over 370 Houses in 65 countries around the world.

What They Do
The Ronald McDonald House provides families with a “home away from home” while their children receive medical care. These houses offer private bedrooms, communal living spaces, kitchens, and laundry facilities. Additionally, many Ronald McDonald Houses provide support services such as meal programs, transportation, and activities for families and children.

Connection to the McDonald’s Corporation
The organization is named after Ronald McDonald, the mascot of the fast-food chain McDonald’s. While McDonald’s is a major corporate sponsor of the organization, the Ronald McDonald House operates as an independent non-profit, relying on donations from individuals, businesses, and other organizations to fund its operations.

Volunteer Service Activities
Each Ronald McDonald House has a number of different volunteer activities available.  Most activities require regular, consistent volunteers and include administrative work, housekeeping opportunities, and social activity opportunities.  The activity that I have found to be most group-friendly and most accessible is the meal preparation activity.

Meal Prep and Serving to Guests – Group Service Activity
Preparing and serving a meal to families that are staying at the House is a great group activity.  Depending on the size of the House, there are different types of meal prep program.

Smaller Houses (like Dayton) rely on volunteers to plan, shop, prepare and serve a meal to the residents of the home.  Each home keeps its own schedule and the volunteer coordinator will be able to help you determine the number of people you will be serving and provide suggested meal ideas.

Larger Houses (like Cincinnati)have adopted the Taste of Hope Program for meal prep.  Taste of Hope is a culinary program offered by the Ronald McDonald House that provides nutritious meals to families staying there. The program aims to provide families with a sense of comfort and normalcy during their stay, by offering them healthy and delicious meals that are prepared on-site by volunteers. The program not only provides families with nutritious meals but also gives them an opportunity to connect with other families and volunteers in a warm and supportive environment.

Scheduling a Meal & Cost
Each Ronald McDonald House using the Taste of Hope Program has its own schedule for volunteer groups to come to prepare a meal – either lunch or dinner.  The volunteer organization sends a small group to the home where they work with the chefs to prepare and serve the meal.  The volunteer organization is asked to pay for the cost of the meal, which varies on the size of the House.  Cincinnati’s RMH is the largest in the world with 177 rooms, and the cost to prepare dinner is $500 and a lunch is $350.

Get Involved
I encourage you to connect with your local Ronald McDonald House to see what volunteer opportunities they have available.   You can CLICK HERE to see a list of the Houses that have a meal program of some sort.

Photos
Click HERE for photos from our meal preparations at Cincinnati’s and Dayton’s Ronald McDonald House.