Volunteer

Make a Difference for Families with Sick Children

Volunteers make a significant difference in the lives of the families that rely on Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central PA. Your support as an individual or group allows us to keep families close during their moment of greatest need.

Our volunteers help provide comfort and care to our families as well as provide critical operational support to our core program.

For questions about any of these volunteer opportunities please contact Alyssa Noel, Volunteer & Operations Manager at 717-533-4001 x158.

Individual Volunteer Opportunities

House volunteers play an important role in the day-to-day operations of the Ronald McDonald House. They provide administrative support, help keep our House clean and tidy, offer family support, serve as a welcoming face and provide information to our visitors.

Age: Must be 18 years or older
Location: The Ronald McDonald House – 745 West Governor Road, Hershey, PA 17033
Commitment: Weekly or Bi-Weekly four hour shifts
Shifts: Shifts are offered daily from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Duties Include:

  • Answering phones and other administrative check-in/check-out duties
  • Greeting visitors
  • Organizing donations
  • Light cleaning of our kitchen and common areas
  • Restocking and light cleaning of our guest rooms
  • Assisting our guest families with items they need

Want to become a House volunteer?

Here’s how to get started:

Application: Complete our Volunteer Application Form

Get to know us: Attend an upcoming Volunteer Orientation Session and learn more about individual opportunities and volunteer expectations.

Volunteer Placement: Upon review and acceptance of your application, our Volunteer Manager will contact you and arrange your schedule based on your availability and interests.

Background Clearances: Complete paperwork for Criminal History and Child Abuse Background Clearances. FBI Fingerprinting will be required if you have lived outside of PA any time during the past ten years.

Family Room volunteers play an important role in the day-to-day operations of the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Family Lounges and Hospitality Cart. Volunteers keep the Family Room, Lounges and Cart neat and tidy, serve as a warm, friendly face to families and provide them with resources.

Age: Must be 18 years or older
Location: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Children’s Hospital
Commitment: Weekly or bi-weekly four-hour shifts
Shifts: Shifts are 4 hours in length and are offered daily from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. and 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Duties Include:

  • Keep the Family Room, Lounges and Cart neat, stocked and tidy
  • Offer resources to families
  • Reinforce rules and guidelines when necessary
  • Help provide a warm, friendly atmosphere for families

Want to become a Family Room volunteer? Here’s how to get started:

Application – Complete and submit our Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s Volunteer Application.

Get to know us – Attend the orientation required by Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and complete all testing and background clearances required.

Volunteer Placement – Upon completion of your application, health screenings and background clearances, the hospital’s Volunteer Manager will contact you and arrange for your orientation and training at the Ronald McDonald Family Room with our Family Room Manager.

Hospital Health and Safety – Receive an annual TB Skin Test and Flu Shot.

For questions, please contact Alyssa Noel, Volunteer & Operations Manager at 717-533-4001 x158.

Volunteer at our new Ronald McDonald Hospitality Kiosk at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital. For more information, contact Maria Shedleski,

Manager-Volunteer Services at 717-544-4863.

For occasional volunteering, and for individuals 16 years old* and over, we offer a BAKING program here at the House from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday. We have a limit of TWO bakers in the kitchen at one time.

We supply all the baking equipment you will need like mixers, pans, cupcake tins, etc. We do ask that you bring your own ingredients – box mixes, eggs, oil, milk and anything else you may need.

*Individuals 16-17 years old must have an adult present

Sign up to bake!

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Guest Chef Volunteer Groups may consist of no more than 6 people, and participants must be 16 years* of age or older.

*Individuals 16-17 years old must have an adult present

Sign up for our Guest Chef Program.

For occasional volunteering, and for individuals 16 years* old and over, we offer a BAKING program here at the House from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday. We have a limit of TWO bakers in the kitchen at one time.

We supply all the baking equipment you will need like mixers, pans, cupcake tins, etc. We do ask that you bring your own ingredients – box mixes, eggs, oil, milk and anything else you may need.

*Individuals 16-17 years old must have an adult present

Sign up to bake!

RMHC of Central PA hosts several special events each year. Help is needed with event operations, setup and tear down for our annual Moonlight Gala, Lancaster County Community Auction and other events as they are scheduled.

See the events you can participate in »

This young professionals group is dedicated to supporting RMHC of Central PA by raising money, volunteering at the House & spreading the word in the community.

Read more about the Red Shoe Crew or contact rsccentralpa@gmail.com for more information.

As a Deep Cleaning Volunteer, you’ll help us keep the Ronald McDonald House tidy and healthy for our families. We provide all of the cleaning supplies.

To become a deep cleaning volunteer group, volunteers must follow these guidelines:

  • All volunteer groups must be adults
  • Groups should be no more than 10 people

Please contact Alyssa Noel, Volunteer & Operations Manager at 717-533-4001 x158.