A donation to the families at Ronald McDonald House

In the midst of the global pandemic, I felt more than ever the need to connect with community as well as spread some joy. Read on to learn about our gift to the families at Ronald McDonald House, Parkville.

Dropping off our gift to the staff at Ronald McDonald House, Parkville

Earlier last year, a much loved young family member needed to undergo heart surgery at the Royal Children's Hospital. Travelling from regional Victoria, they were lucky to have family support here in Melbourne. However, for many families who use this important service, it can be an isolating time away from the comforts of home.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities play a pivotal role in providing accomodation for family members of unwell children only steps away from Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital. They provide essential care and a range of programs to help families stay together and close to the medical care they need.

Adding some joy to a difficult time

Travelling away from the comforts of home can be challenging especially with children and given the circumstances in in which these families are travelling to the RMHC. Children need comfort, creative stimulation and play items to occupy what could be long hours spent indoors. Having children content, playing and occupied offers parents a little joy and some reprieve during a difficult time.

Over the years For Me By Dee has donated Art Prints to the RMHC with the hope that our characters will spread joy to those that stay. 

Over the years For Me By Dee has donated Art Prints to the RMHC with the hope that our characters will spread joy to those that stay. However this time, I wanted to connect with my community of creative small business friends and pull together a collection of local products we could donate to the children that stay at the RMHC.  

A creative small business community donation to Ronald McDonald House

I reached out to eight amazing female-led Australian based brands to get involved and donate a product that the children at the RMHC would enjoy using during their stay. The response was unanimous, 100% were onboard for this worthy cause. 

My talented friend Clare at CML Studio offered to capture the donation of goodies.  

Here are the products we collated and donated to the RMHC:

• Our very own For Me By Dee 100% cotton animal pillowcases. Toby the Giraffe Pillowcase and Rocco the Racoon Pillowcase. 
• Children's Flash Cards by Two Little Ducklings
• Natural Play-dough by Happy Hands Happy Heart 
• Children's Beeswax Crayons by Tinta Crayons
• Wooden Aussie Animal Set by Make Me Iconic 
• Copy of Unboxed by Mini Mad Things 
• Donut Art Prints by Dawn Tan
• Kids Little Note Packs by Sprout and Sparrow
• Family Picnic Basket by Picnic Season 

A gift for families 

Our donation was recieved with open arms and much gratitude from the wonderful team at the RMHC and families. The products were distributed and gifted to families who had long term stays at RMHC in Victoria.

It is our hope that many hours of creative play is had with each of our donated products. We love the work the RMHC do and will continue to support them however we can in the future.