Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning and welcome to the Inner Harbor
Media Community Connection.
My name is Skip Clark and I'vegot to say this morning we're
shining a light on a localorganization that plays a vital
role in supporting families withseriously ill children.
I'm talking about the RonaldMcDonald House Charities of
Central New York as their annualChristmas.
(00:20):
I love this Christmas.
In July, donation drive kicksoff and the need for community
support is more urgent than ever.
And joining me now is NicolePopolosky.
She is the Director ofOperations at the Ronald
McDonald House Charities of CNYand to talk about the drive, how
it impacts families in need andhow you can get involved.
(00:41):
I love this, nicole.
Thank you so much for joiningus this morning.
Thank you, thank you for havingme.
Absolutely love this, nicole.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Thank you so much for joining us this morning, thank
you, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Absolutely.
Let's kick it right off.
Can you explain the purpose ofthe Christmas in July donation
drive and how it supports thefamilies that you serve?
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Absolutely, and July is really our push to help us
get through the summer monthsand the times when we're really
seeing larger numbers infamilies and support systems.
Siblings are out of school, sowe're seeing a lot more children
in the house and we're reallylooking for the items that
(01:21):
they're going through just likeyou would at home the snack
items, the K-cups for coffee,trash bags to go, coffee cups,
paper towels, other productslike that, grab-and-go meals and
snacks that are individuallypackaged, just as you're going
through them a lot at home.
(01:41):
During these summer months,we're seeing our pantry items
diminish a lot faster as welland it's just really our, our
push to the community that werely on so heavily to help these
families with critically illchildren that are going through
these traumatic times in theirlives and really need the help
to lift the burden from them andtheir financial costs as they
(02:06):
try to help their children.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Yeah, I love that.
How did the idea for Christmasin July originally come about
and how has it evolved over theyears?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, it really came about because we realized these
summer months just like at home,as I said is really when we're
going through these items thefastest and how can we do
something that is fun andinvolve the community, that the
kids at the house also like tosee and participate in, and
really restock what we'remissing Throughout the years.
(02:39):
It's really evolved.
We now have a lunch that weserve as well for anyone coming
to donate anytime between 11 amand 1 pm on that day.
A lot of donors are comingduring their lunch break and we
appreciate that and know thatthey need to eat as well, so
we've really turned it into anactual event as well as a
(03:00):
donation drive for the house.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Now, just in case somebody does not know what is
that day.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
That day is July 23rd and we are outside accepting
donations from 10 am to 4 pm.
You can drop off donationsoutside of that window as well.
That's just when we're reallyoutside and we're prepared to
take the bulk of the donations.
And we also are able to acceptdonations from anywhere outside
(03:31):
of the area or individuals whoare not able to get to the house
.
We have an Amazon wishlist thatthe items will ship directly to
us at the house.
I love that.
So if you're not able to getout of work or to get to the
house, you can go onto ourwebsite and we have our general
wishlist, but we also have anAmazon wishlist that ships
(03:51):
directly to us.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Makes it so easy?
Huh, it does.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Yeah absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Let's talk a little bit about the impact and demand.
I did my homework, by the way.
Last year, apparently, therewas a 21% increase in families
served and a 46% increase innights stayed at the Ronald
McDonald House.
What do you think is drivingthat growth?
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yes, we are definitely seeing an increase.
I think you know, as long ago asCOVID may seem, the medical
community has really changed andchanged the way that they're
handling things and processingthings and these families are
now starting to really come backand starting to need to stay
(04:35):
longer for treatment.
During COVID and things, it wasvery in and out and people were
trying to just get here, gettheir medical procedure done and
go home.
In and out and people weretrying to just get here, get
their medical procedure done andgo home.
Now they're really coming forprocedures and when they're
coming for treatments ofdifferent things, they're
looking to stay locally insteadof traveling back and forth and
(04:55):
limit that expense.
So we're seeing a lot morefamilies also coming the night
before an appointment.
If they have a 8 am appointmentwith a young child and they
live two hours away, it's a loteasier and a less burden for
them to come, stay with us thenight before, get the child up
and get them to the hospital fortheir appointment than it is to
(05:17):
wake them up at four or five inthe morning and start driving.
So we're really seeing people.
I think just the comfort leveland the medical community itself
has changed and people arereally just starting to need us
more.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
I get it, Totally get it.
And we all know, you and I bothknow that the rising cost of
everyday goods, it just keepsgoing.
And how is the Ronald McDonaldHouse Charities of CNY?
How are you managing theincreased demand and higher
expenses?
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Absolutely.
Food insecurity is somethingthat we're really focused on and
that we're seeing a lot.
We are looking for gift cardsfor different items you know
Target, walmart, amazon so thatwe can keep things stocked and
things that families don't have.
(06:09):
We're able to provide that aswell.
We're also continuing to growour program and really talk to
the families and find out whatit is that they're needing and
making sure that we're sendingthem home with items that they
might need or that they don'thave at home.
We're making sure that thepantry is constantly stocked so
(06:31):
that when they're going up forthese procedures, they can bring
food with them instead ofbuying food at the hospital,
which can be costly.
So we're really trying to makesure that we're supporting them
any way that we can and and andproviding them, even after they
go home with you know, a firstbreakfast and a lunch just to
(06:51):
kind of help them as theytransition back home as well and
again.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
This morning we're talking to nicole populoski.
She's the director ofoperations at the Ronald
McDonald House Charities of CNYand Nicole, is it possible to
share a story or example ofmaybe a family that was
positively impacted by thisinitiative?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Absolutely.
You know we see families allthe time that come in and they
need us and they often tell usthey don't know what they would
do without us.
But when you're there andyou're seeing it, it really
makes an impact.
Recently we had a child goingthrough an oncology treatment
and she had some siblings thatwere in and out of school and
(07:39):
during their breaks they couldcome down and stay with her and
they could all stay together andwe were able to keep grandma
here and also all of hersiblings and you know, make sure
that they were fed and makesure they had school supplies
that they needed and and reallycreate a fun atmosphere to the
best of our ability so that theyfelt like they were really at
(08:00):
home together and building thosememories and not missing out on
their time with their siblings.
And she went through hertreatments and is now
cancer-free and you know theyreally thank us for the time
that they were able to betogether.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
So awesome.
Ring that bell, right.
Ring the bell, that's right.
You may have mentioned this alittle bit earlier on in this
conversation, but what are themost urgently needed items on
the wish list for this year'sevent?
July 23rd, Christmas in July.
Ronald McDonald House Charitiesof CNY.
(08:37):
What are some of the mostneeded items?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Absolutely the most needed items that we seem to go
through at a rapid rate are thegrab-and-go items, so individual
bagged chips, breakfast items,snacks.
What we're seeing is that peopleare taking them to the hospital
with them, taking them homewith them when they leave,
because they need them at homeas well.
K-cups we go through quitequickly, as you can imagine a
(09:03):
parent that is looking forcoffee to keep themselves going.
And then the other thing thatwe really try to push for is the
gift card the Target, walmart,amazon.
We can then go out and purchasewhatever we need throughout the
year.
If there's a child that isgoing through a treatment and
they only want orange Jell-Owe're going through a treatment
and they only want orange jellowe're going to go out and buy
(09:24):
them orange jello and those giftcards give us the ability to do
things like that.
So you know, the items are huge, but the gift cards really come
in handy when we have aspecialty need or when we're
running low on somethingthroughout the year to give us
the ability to go out and grabit.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
You know it's all year round that you need these
items, but more so this is thetime of the year where you put
on the drive and you reallystock those shelves in hopes of
the, you know, the publichelping out here a little bit
Pretty, pretty simple,straightforward question.
I already, I think I alreadyknow the answer.
But why is it important thatall donations be new and
unopened?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah, to safeguard our families, we follow hospital
guidelines as well.
Our families are critically ill, so we're very specific and
careful about what we take.
Everything must be new andunused Food items, obviously
unopened opened.
The community that we'reserving has low immunity and are
(10:27):
obviously critically ill.
That's why they're staying withus, so everything coming in
needs to be new and unused sothat we can keep them safe.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Absolutely.
Now you talk about, you know,Ronald McDonald House Charities
of Central New York, but what isCentral New York?
What area do you cover?
Speaker 2 (10:44):
we serve quite a broad area.
So our cross NICU is a levelfour NICU.
So 50% of our stays are NICUand they come from all over
Northern New York, down towardsBinghamton, over to Utica, over
towards Rochester anywherereally and then from Golisano
(11:07):
side and um our clinics and stjoe's.
They all come from the sameareas as well, um, but but we
really reach all the way up, youknow, messina, and up to the
canadian border and then southtowards binghamton as well.
So I love that, the broad areathat we serve.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Absolutely.
How can schools, businesses,other organizations get involved
with supporting this drive?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Great question.
So they can start a drive, yourbusiness, schools can do a
wishlist drive and put acollection area together so that
employees or students can bringin items and drop them off, and
it's a fun way.
It's a fun way to, you know,collect and then send someone
(11:57):
over to drop them off on thatday or arrange any other day
with us.
You know, we're obviouslywilling and able to take them at
any point, but it really can bea fun team effort to put it
together with a school or abusiness.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
And this is all coming up on July 23rd.
Let's say I want to bringsomething down.
Where do I go?
Speaker 2 (12:18):
So you would bring it right to the house at 1100 East
Genesee Street, memphis,syracuse.
It's very close to the hospital.
We will be outside and ready totake those donations.
We can give tours and andreally, if there's children or,
you know, students or Girl Scouttroops, things like that,
(12:40):
sports teams.
We really like to involve thekids and teach them about what
we do and show them the house.
So it really can be a greatopportunity to really get kids
involved and teens involved andteach them what is going on in
their community and what thesechildren are fighting and how we
help.
So it really can be a greatopportunity for any type of
(13:00):
event like that.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
I love it.
I'd love to be a part of this.
So how has you talked about theamazon wish list, and so many
different organizations arejumping on board with that.
Uh, how has that expanded yourreach and made giving easier for
people who can't drop off inperson?
Speaker 2 (13:18):
you know, it's really been wonderful and, like like
you had asked earlier, and wehave said, our you know area
that we serve is very broad.
So we get a lot of families fromFort Drum and up north and they
will have friends and familycall us and say how can we help?
You know we're two hours awaybut we really want to help and
(13:39):
we update our Amazon wish listalmost daily.
Whenever we're running low, Ihop on there and I pop something
on that we might need.
So these families and thesefamily members that are further
away that really want to help,they can send items right to us
and it's exactly what we need,because I've gone on and I've
kicked out, you know, this isthe type of coffee we need, or
(14:00):
these are the cups we need, andit really has made, you know,
this connection just so mucheasier for us and it really has
made these family members andthese donors who really are
looking to help but aren'tphysically close by or aren't
able to get to us, really apossibility and it really has
been instrumental in helping us.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
It's almost like having family out of town when
it comes to birthdays andChristmas and all that good
stuff.
And you look at their wish listit's the same idea.
It's the same idea.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
It is the same exact thing, yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
I love that.
I love that.
It makes it really simple too.
We've been chatting with NicolePopulosky.
She is the director ofoperations at the Ronald
McDonald House Charities of CNY.
You know, beyond this drive,what other ways can people
support?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
uh, ronald mcdonald house charities throughout the
year.
Yes, so we do have on differentevents throughout the year.
We have a golf tournament, wehave a gala in the fall, um, and
you can go right onto ourwebsite and see all the
information about events, um howto donate, how how to get
involved.
We're always looking forvolunteers to come into the
(15:11):
house and help us with bakingand different things and keeping
the house running and justbeing a familiar face to the
families when they walk in.
So you can go right on ourwebsite and see different ways
to get involved, different waysto donate and different things
that we're looking for and need.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
I love it.
I love it.
What, before we wrap this upthis morning, what message would
you like to share with thecommunity as they consider
contributing to this year'sdrive?
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Really just that you know we we really rely on our
community and we really enjoyinvolving them and this is a
very fun event and way for themto get involved and understand
what we're doing and, at thesame time, you know a way for us
to fulfill a need that we have.
(16:03):
That's so, you know, importantto these families.
That's so you know important tothese families and just to
really know that you're making adifference in these families'
lives and helping them whilethey are taking care of their
critically ill child.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
So very, very important.
There's no doubt about that.
This morning, we've beentalking to Nicole Populosky.
She's the Director ofOperations and, by the way,
before I let you go, what isyour position?
You are the director ofoperations, but what does that
entail?
Speaker 2 (16:32):
yes, so it entails everything from the facility
side to the guest service sideand helping the families, and
also to working with thehospitals and their social
workers to make sure that thesefamilies know about us and have
use for us.
Down to you know, we have atoilet in 204 that's leaking you
(16:53):
know, right, it really is arange of of multiple things
you're that person I'm thatperson, you are, and you're
blessed to be able to do a joblike this and we thank you as
part of the community.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
We thank you for doing what you're doing.
Uh, again, it's christmas injuly, it is on july 23rd.
The location of the house is uh, give that to me again it's
1100 east genesee yes, okay,1100 east genesee street uh, the
23rd july.
It's coming up rather quickly,uh, between 10 and 4, you said
(17:26):
you got.
You got it Real quick.
I just happened to think ofthis Any large items that you
need?
I mean, it's easy to giveK-Cups and this and that, but
what about large items?
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Yeah, so a great spot to look for those is on our
Amazon wish list.
We put things on there and hopethat we'll get them and some
large things that we're lookingfor this year.
We'd like a projector screen sowe could do movie nights
outside, so things like that.
When you look on the Amazonwish list, you'll see the larger
(18:01):
items as well, in hopes thatmaybe groups will go together
and join in and purchasesomething to help make a fun
night.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I love it.
Nicole Populosky.
She's the I'm not going to getthis right Director of
Operations.
Ronald McDonald House.
Charities of CNY.
Thank you for taking a fewminutes out of your busy day to
enlighten us a little bit aboutwhat's going on Christmas in
July, july 23rd, and I just wantto say thank you for calling,
thank you for being a part ofthe community and thank you for
(18:31):
doing what you're doing.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Well, thank you.
Thank you for giving us thisopportunity.
It means a lot.
Good morning and welcome to the Inner Harbor
Media Community Connection.
My name is Skip Clark and I'vegot to say this morning we're
shining a light on a localorganization that plays a vital
role in supporting families withseriously ill children.
I'm talking about the RonaldMcDonald House Charities of
Central New York as their annualChristmas.
(00:20):
I love this Christmas.
In July, donation drive kicksoff and the need for community
support is more urgent than ever.
And joining me now is NicolePopolosky.
She is the Director ofOperations at the Ronald
McDonald House Charities of CNYand to talk about the drive, how
it impacts families in need andhow you can get involved.
(00:41):
I love this, nicole.
Thank you so much for joiningus this morning.
Thank you, thank you for havingme.
Absolutely love this, nicole.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Thank you so much for joining us this morning, thank
you, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Absolutely.
Let's kick it right off.
Can you explain the purpose ofthe Christmas in July donation
drive and how it supports thefamilies that you serve?
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Absolutely, and July is really our push to help us
get through the summer monthsand the times when we're really
seeing larger numbers infamilies and support systems.
Siblings are out of school, sowe're seeing a lot more children
in the house and we're reallylooking for the items that
(01:21):
they're going through just likeyou would at home the snack
items, the K-cups for coffee,trash bags to go, coffee cups,
paper towels, other productslike that, grab-and-go meals and
snacks that are individuallypackaged, just as you're going
through them a lot at home.
(01:41):
During these summer months,we're seeing our pantry items
diminish a lot faster as welland it's just really our, our
push to the community that werely on so heavily to help these
families with critically illchildren that are going through
these traumatic times in theirlives and really need the help
to lift the burden from them andtheir financial costs as they
(02:06):
try to help their children.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Yeah, I love that.
How did the idea for Christmasin July originally come about
and how has it evolved over theyears?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, it really came about because we realized these
summer months just like at home,as I said is really when we're
going through these items thefastest and how can we do
something that is fun andinvolve the community, that the
kids at the house also like tosee and participate in, and
really restock what we'remissing Throughout the years.
(02:39):
It's really evolved.
We now have a lunch that weserve as well for anyone coming
to donate anytime between 11 amand 1 pm on that day.
A lot of donors are comingduring their lunch break and we
appreciate that and know thatthey need to eat as well, so
we've really turned it into anactual event as well as a
(03:00):
donation drive for the house.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Now, just in case somebody does not know what is
that day.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
That day is July 23rd and we are outside accepting
donations from 10 am to 4 pm.
You can drop off donationsoutside of that window as well.
That's just when we're reallyoutside and we're prepared to
take the bulk of the donations.
And we also are able to acceptdonations from anywhere outside
(03:31):
of the area or individuals whoare not able to get to the house
.
We have an Amazon wishlist thatthe items will ship directly to
us at the house.
I love that.
So if you're not able to getout of work or to get to the
house, you can go onto ourwebsite and we have our general
wishlist, but we also have anAmazon wishlist that ships
(03:51):
directly to us.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Makes it so easy?
Huh, it does.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Yeah absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Let's talk a little bit about the impact and demand.
I did my homework, by the way.
Last year, apparently, therewas a 21% increase in families
served and a 46% increase innights stayed at the Ronald
McDonald House.
What do you think is drivingthat growth?
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yes, we are definitely seeing an increase.
I think you know, as long ago asCOVID may seem, the medical
community has really changed andchanged the way that they're
handling things and processingthings and these families are
now starting to really come backand starting to need to stay
(04:35):
longer for treatment.
During COVID and things, it wasvery in and out and people were
trying to just get here, gettheir medical procedure done and
go home.
In and out and people weretrying to just get here, get
their medical procedure done andgo home.
Now they're really coming forprocedures and when they're
coming for treatments ofdifferent things, they're
looking to stay locally insteadof traveling back and forth and
(04:55):
limit that expense.
So we're seeing a lot morefamilies also coming the night
before an appointment.
If they have a 8 am appointmentwith a young child and they
live two hours away, it's a loteasier and a less burden for
them to come, stay with us thenight before, get the child up
and get them to the hospital fortheir appointment than it is to
(05:17):
wake them up at four or five inthe morning and start driving.
So we're really seeing people.
I think just the comfort leveland the medical community itself
has changed and people arereally just starting to need us
more.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
I get it, Totally get it.
And we all know, you and I bothknow that the rising cost of
everyday goods, it just keepsgoing.
And how is the Ronald McDonaldHouse Charities of CNY?
How are you managing theincreased demand and higher
expenses?
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Absolutely.
Food insecurity is somethingthat we're really focused on and
that we're seeing a lot.
We are looking for gift cardsfor different items you know
Target, walmart, amazon so thatwe can keep things stocked and
things that families don't have.
(06:09):
We're able to provide that aswell.
We're also continuing to growour program and really talk to
the families and find out whatit is that they're needing and
making sure that we're sendingthem home with items that they
might need or that they don'thave at home.
We're making sure that thepantry is constantly stocked so
(06:31):
that when they're going up forthese procedures, they can bring
food with them instead ofbuying food at the hospital,
which can be costly.
So we're really trying to makesure that we're supporting them
any way that we can and and andproviding them, even after they
go home with you know, a firstbreakfast and a lunch just to
(06:51):
kind of help them as theytransition back home as well and
again.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
This morning we're talking to nicole populoski.
She's the director ofoperations at the Ronald
McDonald House Charities of CNYand Nicole, is it possible to
share a story or example ofmaybe a family that was
positively impacted by thisinitiative?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Absolutely.
You know we see families allthe time that come in and they
need us and they often tell usthey don't know what they would
do without us.
But when you're there andyou're seeing it, it really
makes an impact.
Recently we had a child goingthrough an oncology treatment
and she had some siblings thatwere in and out of school and
(07:39):
during their breaks they couldcome down and stay with her and
they could all stay together andwe were able to keep grandma
here and also all of hersiblings and you know, make sure
that they were fed and makesure they had school supplies
that they needed and and reallycreate a fun atmosphere to the
best of our ability so that theyfelt like they were really at
(08:00):
home together and building thosememories and not missing out on
their time with their siblings.
And she went through hertreatments and is now
cancer-free and you know theyreally thank us for the time
that they were able to betogether.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
So awesome.
Ring that bell, right.
Ring the bell, that's right.
You may have mentioned this alittle bit earlier on in this
conversation, but what are themost urgently needed items on
the wish list for this year'sevent?
July 23rd, Christmas in July.
Ronald McDonald House Charitiesof CNY.
(08:37):
What are some of the mostneeded items?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Absolutely the most needed items that we seem to go
through at a rapid rate are thegrab-and-go items, so individual
bagged chips, breakfast items,snacks.
What we're seeing is that peopleare taking them to the hospital
with them, taking them homewith them when they leave,
because they need them at homeas well.
K-cups we go through quitequickly, as you can imagine a
(09:03):
parent that is looking forcoffee to keep themselves going.
And then the other thing thatwe really try to push for is the
gift card the Target, walmart,amazon.
We can then go out and purchasewhatever we need throughout the
year.
If there's a child that isgoing through a treatment and
they only want orange Jell-Owe're going through a treatment
and they only want orange jellowe're going to go out and buy
(09:24):
them orange jello and those giftcards give us the ability to do
things like that.
So you know, the items are huge, but the gift cards really come
in handy when we have aspecialty need or when we're
running low on somethingthroughout the year to give us
the ability to go out and grabit.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
You know it's all year round that you need these
items, but more so this is thetime of the year where you put
on the drive and you reallystock those shelves in hopes of
the, you know, the publichelping out here a little bit
Pretty, pretty simple,straightforward question.
I already, I think I alreadyknow the answer.
But why is it important thatall donations be new and
unopened?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah, to safeguard our families, we follow hospital
guidelines as well.
Our families are critically ill, so we're very specific and
careful about what we take.
Everything must be new andunused Food items, obviously
unopened opened.
The community that we'reserving has low immunity and are
(10:27):
obviously critically ill.
That's why they're staying withus, so everything coming in
needs to be new and unused sothat we can keep them safe.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Absolutely.
Now you talk about, you know,Ronald McDonald House Charities
of Central New York, but what isCentral New York?
What area do you cover?
Speaker 2 (10:44):
we serve quite a broad area.
So our cross NICU is a levelfour NICU.
So 50% of our stays are NICUand they come from all over
Northern New York, down towardsBinghamton, over to Utica, over
towards Rochester anywherereally and then from Golisano
(11:07):
side and um our clinics and stjoe's.
They all come from the sameareas as well, um, but but we
really reach all the way up, youknow, messina, and up to the
canadian border and then southtowards binghamton as well.
So I love that, the broad areathat we serve.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Absolutely.
How can schools, businesses,other organizations get involved
with supporting this drive?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Great question.
So they can start a drive, yourbusiness, schools can do a
wishlist drive and put acollection area together so that
employees or students can bringin items and drop them off, and
it's a fun way.
It's a fun way to, you know,collect and then send someone
(11:57):
over to drop them off on thatday or arrange any other day
with us.
You know, we're obviouslywilling and able to take them at
any point, but it really can bea fun team effort to put it
together with a school or abusiness.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
And this is all coming up on July 23rd.
Let's say I want to bringsomething down.
Where do I go?
Speaker 2 (12:18):
So you would bring it right to the house at 1100 East
Genesee Street, memphis,syracuse.
It's very close to the hospital.
We will be outside and ready totake those donations.
We can give tours and andreally, if there's children or,
you know, students or Girl Scouttroops, things like that,
(12:40):
sports teams.
We really like to involve thekids and teach them about what
we do and show them the house.
So it really can be a greatopportunity to really get kids
involved and teens involved andteach them what is going on in
their community and what thesechildren are fighting and how we
help.
So it really can be a greatopportunity for any type of
(13:00):
event like that.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
I love it.
I'd love to be a part of this.
So how has you talked about theamazon wish list, and so many
different organizations arejumping on board with that.
Uh, how has that expanded yourreach and made giving easier for
people who can't drop off inperson?
Speaker 2 (13:18):
you know, it's really been wonderful and, like like
you had asked earlier, and wehave said, our you know area
that we serve is very broad.
So we get a lot of families fromFort Drum and up north and they
will have friends and familycall us and say how can we help?
You know we're two hours awaybut we really want to help and
(13:39):
we update our Amazon wish listalmost daily.
Whenever we're running low, Ihop on there and I pop something
on that we might need.
So these families and thesefamily members that are further
away that really want to help,they can send items right to us
and it's exactly what we need,because I've gone on and I've
kicked out, you know, this isthe type of coffee we need, or
(14:00):
these are the cups we need, andit really has made, you know,
this connection just so mucheasier for us and it really has
made these family members andthese donors who really are
looking to help but aren'tphysically close by or aren't
able to get to us, really apossibility and it really has
been instrumental in helping us.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
It's almost like having family out of town when
it comes to birthdays andChristmas and all that good
stuff.
And you look at their wish listit's the same idea.
It's the same idea.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
It is the same exact thing, yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
I love that.
I love that.
It makes it really simple too.
We've been chatting with NicolePopulosky.
She is the director ofoperations at the Ronald
McDonald House Charities of CNY.
You know, beyond this drive,what other ways can people
support?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
uh, ronald mcdonald house charities throughout the
year.
Yes, so we do have on differentevents throughout the year.
We have a golf tournament, wehave a gala in the fall, um, and
you can go right onto ourwebsite and see all the
information about events, um howto donate, how how to get
involved.
We're always looking forvolunteers to come into the
(15:11):
house and help us with bakingand different things and keeping
the house running and justbeing a familiar face to the
families when they walk in.
So you can go right on ourwebsite and see different ways
to get involved, different waysto donate and different things
that we're looking for and need.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
I love it.
I love it.
What, before we wrap this upthis morning, what message would
you like to share with thecommunity as they consider
contributing to this year'sdrive?
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Really just that you know we we really rely on our
community and we really enjoyinvolving them and this is a
very fun event and way for themto get involved and understand
what we're doing and, at thesame time, you know a way for us
to fulfill a need that we have.
(16:03):
That's so, you know, importantto these families.
That's so you know important tothese families and just to
really know that you're making adifference in these families'
lives and helping them whilethey are taking care of their
critically ill child.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
So very, very important.
There's no doubt about that.
This morning, we've beentalking to Nicole Populosky.
She's the Director ofOperations and, by the way,
before I let you go, what isyour position?
You are the director ofoperations, but what does that
entail?
Speaker 2 (16:32):
yes, so it entails everything from the facility
side to the guest service sideand helping the families, and
also to working with thehospitals and their social
workers to make sure that thesefamilies know about us and have
use for us.
Down to you know, we have atoilet in 204 that's leaking you
(16:53):
know, right, it really is arange of of multiple things
you're that person I'm thatperson, you are, and you're
blessed to be able to do a joblike this and we thank you as
part of the community.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
We thank you for doing what you're doing.
Uh, again, it's christmas injuly, it is on july 23rd.
The location of the house is uh, give that to me again it's
1100 east genesee yes, okay,1100 east genesee street uh, the
23rd july.
It's coming up rather quickly,uh, between 10 and 4, you said
(17:26):
you got.
You got it Real quick.
I just happened to think ofthis Any large items that you
need?
I mean, it's easy to giveK-Cups and this and that, but
what about large items?
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Yeah, so a great spot to look for those is on our
Amazon wish list.
We put things on there and hopethat we'll get them and some
large things that we're lookingfor this year.
We'd like a projector screen sowe could do movie nights
outside, so things like that.
When you look on the Amazonwish list, you'll see the larger
(18:01):
items as well, in hopes thatmaybe groups will go together
and join in and purchasesomething to help make a fun
night.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I love it.
Nicole Populosky.
She's the I'm not going to getthis right Director of
Operations.
Ronald McDonald House.
Charities of CNY.
Thank you for taking a fewminutes out of your busy day to
enlighten us a little bit aboutwhat's going on Christmas in
July, july 23rd, and I just wantto say thank you for calling,
thank you for being a part ofthe community and thank you for
(18:31):
doing what you're doing.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Well, thank you.
Thank you for giving us thisopportunity.
It means a lot.
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