Avery Matzuga

This school year, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern North Carolina in Greenville, NC. The day I volunteered, they held a character brunch for the children who were being treated at the partner hospital. They offered food, games, raffles, and various characters to hang out with the kids. I was in charge of the raffle stand, where I went around showing what RMHC was offering to the families and trying to see if anyone wanted to buy tickets. They were offering high-priced items for low prices as they knew the families had a lot on their plates financially. Each stand worked together to bring good energy and excitement to the children who are receiving treatment at the Greenville hospital. At the event, I learned how much of a community the Ronald McDonald House has created in Greenville. Even families who weren't currently staying there attended the event to show support for the organization. One of my personal values is helping others, and through this service, I felt I was truly able to give back to the community and help those in need. This also opened my eyes to having more interest in non-profit organizations and the business side of non-profits. I had never thought about work in a non-profit; however, I learned how many business-related roles are needed for them to operate.