How did you first get involved with RMH BC?

I initially got involved with Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon in 2005 as a house volunteer and I would help out at the House every second Tuesday. When I first started volunteering, RMH BC was a 13-bedroom converted house in Shaughnessy. It was a smaller place than the current House, but the feeling of love and support was the same!

What initially attracted you to RMH BC?

I had moved into the neighbourhood close to the old House and I was looking for an opportunity to get involved in a charity. After my first shift, I could clearly see the impact of the House on families who needed a place to stay when in Vancouver while their child was receiving treatment at the hospital.

What motivates you to stay involved? What does your involvement with RMH BC mean to you?

The time I spent volunteering in the House really allowed me to connect with the families. The old House was small and the families who stayed there usually stayed a long time, anywhere from months to a year, and sometimes even more. Seeing what parents, kids, siblings, grandparents and extended families went through when they were far from their home made me truly appreciate RMH BC for the community that it provided.

The House is more than a place to stay. The support and comradery between families is where I think the real magic lies. Nobody else can truly appreciate what they’re experiencing and the type of support they provide each other is unmatched.

What is one memorable thing you would like to share about your experience with the House?

The galas and the fundraisers that I have been a part of  are definitely and impactful experiences, but to me, the moments that I treasure the most are seeing kids who were four or five years old when I first met them, grow up, graduate and become adults. Knowing that I had even a small part to play in that journey is pretty special.

Tell us a little more about you and what you do outside supporting RMH BC. What are you passionate about?

Outside of volunteering, I run two businesses. Bold Ink Strategy is a marketing agency and Lowkl Customer Care is an outsourced local customer care offering for businesses within a community. Outside of that, I spend as much time as possible at our family cabin in the Gulf Islands and have a dog with a bigger Instagram following than my own.

What is your favourite place in BC or the Yukon and why?

My favourite place in BC or Yukon would definitely be the Gulf Islands. We’re so incredibly lucky to be able to have the beauty and serenity of island life so close and so accessible.