OURhouse - Ronald McDonald House Newsletter, Fall 2000

If You See A Bare Wall ...

If there's one thing longtime RMH volunteer Doris Anderson can't stand, it's a bare wall. Through her company, D'or Art, she offers both framing services and original artworks for both corporate clients and private homes.

If you've ever been to the house you'll see some examples of her contributions to the house, contributions that go well beyond her long-standing commitment to serve as weekend house manager. Over the years, she's managed to talk several of her clients into donating artwork to the house, including Michael Tickner, who created an original design for a Christmas card, and Zbigniew Kupczyniski, who contributed a painting that now hangs over the stairs in the front hall.

Anderson's volunteering record at Ronald McDonald House just passed the 10-year mark. Despite the fact that the art business is a brisk one these days, Doris doesn't mind giving her weekends over to the management of the house.

"I have, what I call, magic moments there," she says. "Sometimes you just make connections with someone, and little things happen that are life-changing." Not only that, she adds, but she loves to read bedtime stories, and anybody who does that is always going to be popular with children.

"I love to be able to relate to the children on their level, to listen to them. Volunteering does take a lot of time, but I find I get a lot more out of it than I ever have to put in it."

So, 'thanks' go out to Doris. And remember, if you see a bare wall, give you-know-who a call.

Source: OURhouse - Ronald McDonald House Newsletter, Fall 2000