|
|
|
|
Client Sign-in
|
Our News
It is often at this special time of year when we ask ourselves how we can be charitable… how can we brighten the holiday season for those in need? On December 4th, 2008 The Mailey Rogers Group had a special experience with families who have a child in treatment for cancer at Children's Hospital. Let me share with you our evening at The Ronald MacDonald House in Vancouver. It was our administrator Karen Nayler who brought forward an idea to our Group at ScotiaMcLeod in the West Vancouver office. She explained that we could volunteer to plan, prepare and serve dinner to the families staying at Ronald MacDonald House. With her interest in cooking, Karen quickly planned a menu which she thought the adults and children would both enjoy. We were to prepare a Mexican buffet for 30 guests. The day prior to our event, Brie Fraser and Karen headed out to Costco for a big shop and that night the chicken was marinating! In no time at all we were assembled in the office parkade packing supplies into the Suburban and checking the address to our destination. We were a small crew of 5 but we wanted to make a big difference.
It wasn't until we were at The Ronald MacDonald House that we fully understood that this special place is a pediatric oncology facility… the home for families, whose own home, is far away from the hospital. They are there while their son or daughter receives chemo and other necessary medical care. One Father explained to us that his wife and elder son would be staying at The Ronald MacDonald House for the next 100 days. They were here from Parksville while their youngest child had a bone marrow transplant. Our orientation was done by the most cheerful nurse I have ever met! Connie, welcomed us with open arms demonstrating the most important rules at the House… to smile and wash our hands! She explained that all of the kids are immunosuppressed and that our germs would not be welcome! She showed us how thoroughly the communal bathroom had to be disinfected after its use. I noticed everyone “held themselves” during our visit rather than go through the 10 step bathroom clean up process! It was now time to get to work… time was ticking as the meal was to be on the table by 6pm (90 minutes to go)! This was when we brought out our “secret weapon” Steve Fraser! Steve, a Fireman and frequent cook at his station, was a last minute bonus to our team. He had brought with him his own set of kitchen knives, a serious clue that he knew how to cook! Kim and Steve took over the grill while Brie and I chopped and sliced. Karen just looked around with a grin on her face like a Cheshire Cat… she was in her element!
I must now comment that the biggest surprise of the evening then occurred. Ronald MacDonald (that famous tall clown in yellow and red) came walking through the door! The kids flocked to his side like the Pied Piper (for those of you who remember this folk tale of long ago). Ronald spent the next hour with them reading stories, and making paper airplanes. I thought clowns scared kids but not Ronald. He had a truly lovely way with both children and adults. We couldn't help but ask him to pose for a photo.
Finally it was time to set up the buffet. The enormous kitchen had so many drawers and we were pulling plates, cutlery, and serving spoons from everywhere. We had to work fast as we could see the crowd building. I was also a little nervous as one family speaking Spanish was to be served (would our Mexican Food meet their high standards)? In no time at all we knew the answer, as their plates were piled high, I was told “now this is REAL Mexican food”! Over the next hour, during clean up duty, we were thanked frequently by many parents. All too soon it was time to go but, as we stood by the door gathering our belongings the father from Parksville came to show us something very special. In his hands he displayed a string of many beads that belonged to his son Chase, who was soon to have a bone marrow transplant. The beads represented his courage and every color symbolized a treatment he had taken that required bravery… an ambulance ride, blood work, a lumbar puncture and much more. We could see how proud this man was of his son who had, had a long journey to find solace and health. We will be forever touched by this young man's courage, his family's love and those few moments when we tried to make a difference. It was indeed a special night. In closing, I want to applaud all investors who have shown great courage in these difficult economic times. I also would like to thank our Group (Kim, Sherry, Brie and Karen), who within 72 hours, prepared this meal at the Ronald MacDonald House, hosted two financial seminars and a community concert! This was in addition to their tireless work at the office on the phones and in person serving our clients. I am very proud to be affiliated with clients and colleagues so rich in character. Victoria Rogers |
| Disclaimer • Security • Privacy • Legal * PriceMetrix | © 2009 The Mailey Rogers Group |
