RIT Students Participate in Ronald McDonald House’s Annual Household Sale

‌

A. Sue Weisler

Student volunteers from RIT's Department of Communication prepare clothing for sale as part of Ronald McDonald House Charities' annual household and antiques sale.

Rochester Institute of Technology students and faculty recently volunteered their time to help the Rochester-area Ronald McDonald House continue and expand its numerous programs to assist families of ill children in the area.

Students and professors from RIT’s Department of Communication joined other Rochester-area volunteers at Ronald McDonald House Charities’ 2009 household and antiques sale. The group provided setup support and assistance in pricing items in preparation for the event.

The sale is located at 1175 Marketplace Drive in Henrietta and runs through Oct. 17. Over $250,000 was generated at last year’s sale, which serves as the major yearly fundraising event for the Rochester chapter of the Ronald McDonald House.

“This event gave us an opportunity to participate in an off-campus event, together as a group, while having the added benefit of supporting an extremely worthy cause,” notes Bruce Austin, chair of the Department of Communication and organizer of the RIT effort.

Student Chyna Trible, who serves as a peer mentor in the department, spent two days polishing and preparing furniture in preparation for sale. She also recruited several other students to join her.

“Everyone who participated had an incredibly enjoyable experience,” Trible says. “We had the opportunity to help a great cause and learn more about what the charity does to support the Rochester community.”

First established in 1974, the Ronald McDonald House helps families with seriously ill children through an international network of houses that give people a place to stay while children are being cared for at hospitals or treatment facilities. The 300th Ronald McDonald House will open in 2010.