For families facing the stress of a child’s serious illness or injury, Ronald McDonald House St. Louis provides a place to stay, along with comfort, community, and support during some of life’s most difficult moments. Behind that mission is a wide network of volunteers, donors, and advocates who give their time and energy in meaningful ways, often discovering just how personal the impact can be.
Young professionals find pathways for connection through Red Shoe Society, while volunteers cook meals for families or collect aluminum tabs with friends and neighbors. Ronald McDonald House offers multiple opportunities for getting involved.
How Red Shoe Society introduces young professionals to Ronald McDonald House
For many young professionals, Red Shoe Society serves as an entry point into Ronald McDonald House’s mission. The group brings together individuals who want to give back while also building connections with others who share similar values.
Rachel Holste joined Red Shoe Society after graduating from college, looking to expand her network and become more involved in the St. Louis community. Her connection to Ronald McDonald House ran deeper than she initially realized.
“I grew up watching the lifelong friendships my dad built through his involvement with RMHC,” Holste says. “Seeing how much community mattered to our own family shaped how I think about service.”
Through Red Shoe Society, Holste found opportunities that blended service, social connection, and professional growth. Over time, her involvement grew, eventually leading her to a leadership role within the organization.
“Red Shoe does a great job of meeting people where they are,” she says. “It shows that giving back doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be meaningful.”
In addition to fundraising and events, Red Shoe Society helps develop the next generation of Ronald McDonald House supporters, building relationships that sustain the organization’s mission.
To learn more about Red Shoe Society, visit rmhcstl.org/volunteer.
Sharing Support Through Meals from the Heart
For volunteers like Sara Agari, Meals from the Heart offers a hands-on way to support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. The program brings volunteers into the state-of-the-art kitchen to prepare fresh meals, giving families one less thing to worry about during long days at the hospital.
“A fresh meal helps families feel cared for,” Agari says. “It gives them a chance to sit together and feel a sense of normalcy, even when things are hard.”
Each volunteer shift looks different, including cooking holiday meals, serving dinner, and packing leftovers for families heading back to the hospital. For Agari, the experience is about more than food.
“It’s about connection,” she says. “When families come back for seconds or kids stop to say thank you, you realize how much those small moments matter.”
Meals from the Heart reflects Ronald McDonald House’s broader mission by creating moments of comfort and care during a difficult time. Shared meals give families a moment to slow down, gather, and feel supported by those surrounding them.
To sign up to make a family meal, visit rmhcstl.org/meals.
How Tab Top Collection turns small acts into impact
Sometimes, making a difference starts with something as simple as saving aluminum tabs. For 12-year-old Iris Kaspar, collecting tab tops has become a way to help families she may never meet.
“We collect tab tops so that Ronald McDonald House can earn money so they can help sick kids in any way possible,” Kaspar says. “It’s really fun knowing it helps.”
Collected tabs are recycled, with proceeds supporting programs at Ronald McDonald House. Through the Tab Top collection, small individual efforts are combined into a larger impact, helping fund services that keep families close to their children during medical care.
That impact is amplified through partnerships with organizations such as Didion Orf, which helps support the annual Tab Top Pandemonium and the recycling process that turns everyday donations into support for families.
Save the Date: The 22nd Annual Tab Top Pandemonium will be held April 25 from 9 a.m.–noon at Didion Orf Recycling (206 Didion, St. Peters).
When Support Becomes Personal
For the Simon family, supporting Ronald McDonald House took on new meaning when they became Ronald McDonald House guests themselves.
“Never once did we think we would be using the services we’ve supported for years through McDonald’s Round-Up or Shamrock Shakes,” says Linsey Simon.
Their experience reflects a reality many families face. Support offered in small, everyday moments can come full circle when families unexpectedly find themselves facing a medical crisis. Longtime partners, such as McDonald’s, help provide families like the Simons with a place to stay, meals to share, and a sense of stability during times.
Many ways to get involved
In addition to Red Shoe Society, Meals from the Heart, and Tab Top collection, Ronald McDonald House offers other ways to help, including:
- Round-Up donations at participating McDonald’s restaurants
- Contributing items from the House wish list, such as paper towels and laundry detergent
- Attending special events throughout the year
- Signing up for group volunteer opportunities with family, coworkers, or civic organizations
Each opportunity plays a role in sustaining Ronald McDonald House’s mission, and each volunteer helps make sure that families can remain close during their child’s medical journey.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Ronald McDonald House St. Louis. To learn more about how to get involved, visit rmhcstl.org.
