To celebrate its 30-year partnership, the Dallas Junior Forum and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas partied Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at RMHD. More than 200 guests and residents took part in the festivities that included craft projects for the children, entertainment by Top Notch DJ, Plove Alston and loads of foods thanks to chefs as Sharon Van Meter, Connie Mullins, Chef Patrick Smith and the Tejano Bros. in the kitchen with the DJF members.
How did this relationship start? It was back in 1982 when RMHD opened its doors for non-local families with children at local hospitals. To help in greeting guests and providing food, the DJF took on this role. Now, that’s no small task. Heck, there are some who think a microwaved entree is a big deal. Just imagine preparing 650 meals a month!
DJF Chair for the RMHD project Janet Sue Rush admitted, “We work hard to present the food as if it’s being cooked and served in our own homes.”
To serve up this feat the DJF has 10 separate teams made up of 85 women cooking up family-friendly meals ranging from brisket and potatoes to enchiladas and friend chicken in RMHD’s commercial-style kitchen. That adds up to 4,000+ volunteer hours and around $38,000 worth of meals each year.
RMHD CEO Jill Cumnock said, “We are so excited to be celebrating our 30- year partnership with the DJF. The meals they have prepared and served over all these years have truly made such a difference to the families staying at the RMHD. Food is a source of comfort to many of us, and when it is made with love by the ladies of DJF, it is even better. We cannot thank DJF enough for all they do to support our House.”
Thank you to the fine ladies of Dallas Junior Forum for their service! We especially enjoyed tea time with you that day.
Awesome!