Interview with Debbie Plante, House Baker (Medicine Hat)

How long have you been volunteering with RMHC Alberta? 

I had my initial meeting around September 2020 and I was onboarding in October 2020. 

What brought you to RMHC Alberta and why do you choose to stay?

I became interested in RMHC Alberta when the new House was built in Medicine Hat. I heard about an information session for volunteer opportunities at the Ronald McDonald House. I love baking and love being in the kitchen, so I thought, why not do that for families staying at the House? My daughter also loves to bake, and we would often volunteer and bake together. What a great way to share that love and help people staying at the House.

What keeps me at RMHC Alberta is it’s such a wonderful place. The staff really welcome you there and are very supportive. It just feels like home when you are there and it’s such a beautiful place to be, and the House Baker volunteer position is a great fit for me. I also enjoy my connection with a fellow baker who I communicate and do weekly inventory with. 

Has your experience volunteering at RMHC Alberta matched your expectations from when you joined the organization? How? 

I would say my expectations have been exceeded. I went in not fully knowing the expectations, just having this feeling of how rewarding it would be to support families dealing with all kinds of stressful situations. I really wanted to help make their time at Ronald McDonald House less stressful and more relaxed. I always look forward to being at the House and really miss it when I’m not there. 

Can you share one of your most memorable moments volunteering at RMHC Alberta? 

One time I was baking and two moms were there having coffee, so I let them be my quality control. It made me feel good that they were so appreciative and they told me they really enjoyed the baking at the House. It’s rewarding to know people appreciate our work. 

What excites you about volunteering at RMHC Alberta?  

Being able to do something I love to do and sharing it with others! 

What advice would you give to encourage someone to volunteer with RMHC Alberta? 

I would suggest contacting someone at the House. Ask for a tour and ask about the different volunteer opportunities, or see if there’s an opportunity to speak to and observe a current volunteer at the House. 

Is there anything else you want to discuss or share? 

All I can say is my experience with RMHC Alberta has exceeded my expectations. If anyone is looking to volunteer, RMHC is a great organization and worth looking into!