09 Apr Ronald McDonald House Volunteer Spotlight: Blythe Fortin

Gillian: Why did you start volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House?

Blythe: I was in advertising for many years as a creative director in the New York area. When I retired, I knew I still had a lot of energy left to give. We moved to Santa Fe first for three and a half years, and I volunteered at the animal shelter there. I absolutely loved it! When we moved to Boise my husband said, ‘”maybe it’s time for you to work with people instead.” So, I started volunteering at the old House before the pandemic. And then, of course, lost all that time during the pandemic and came back pretty much as soon as things opened again.

Gillian: How often do you volunteer at the house and what days?

Blythe: Thursday afternoons every week from one to five. I’d like to try to volunteer more.

Gillian: What are some typical tasks you do when volunteering at the House?

Blythe: Well, I love writing thank you notes, because I think I know it’s so important. And there are people that have made donations who’ve said one of the reasons they donate is because we get personalized thank you notes. I enjoy that, but I will do anything. I think I’m known as the volunteer who will do any task that is given to me, whether it is folding towels or restocking a pantry. I honestly don’t care what I do, if I am busy and doing something worthwhile. Probably what I like most is when I do have an interaction with the families staying at the House.

Gillian: Can you tell me about the first time you volunteered at the House? If you remember your first day or first couple of times volunteering?

Blythe: Well, that would have been at the old House, and it had such a different feeling. I did baking there. So again, it was maybe once a week, and I would go into the kitchen and bake things that we thought that the kids and their families would like. When I came back to volunteer after the pandemic, Stephanie (Volunteer Manager) asked if I would like to be a core volunteer. And I thought, you know, I wanted to make that additional commitment as a core volunteer.

Gillian: That’s really cool. Did you have something you like to bake in particular at the old House?

Blythe: No, no. Sometimes I brought my friends with me, and we got a little creative. One time, I brought my son, and we made Christmas cookies, and he decorated them, and they were terrific. I mean, when I say, my son, he is 42 years old, but it was really special to have him volunteer with me.

Gillian: That sounds so fun! How has your life been impacted by volunteering?

Blythe: Volunteering is what gives me pleasure, meaning, and gratification.

Gillian: What has been your most memorable experience? I know you kind of talked about your son coming to volunteer with you, but have you had any other special moments?

Blythe: Yes. I would say it’s a about a family from another country. Their child was born via surrogate and has been in the NICU for four months. So, they left their country, left their jobs, and came to Boise. Also, the surrogate mother is part of the support group for their little baby. It was a big milestone a couple weeks ago when she finally reached five pounds. I would say, seeing the grace of this family, their level of appreciation for the House, their respect for the other guests and for the staff and for the volunteers. They are an absolute inspiration to me, and so that would be my most memorable positive story!

Gillian: Wow, I can’t believe they are here all the way from another country. I hope I get to meet them. How do you think Ronald McDonald House makes the Boise community a better place?

Blythe: Aside from the obvious, you know, supporting families in times of medical need, I think it’s kind of a paradigm of an organization that works well, that is valued in the community, and that it’s an example of how an organization like this can be productive, caring, and successful.

Gillian: What keeps you motivated to continue volunteering and maybe even want to add more time?

Blythe: It’s the highlight of my week, because I know every Thursday afternoon there’s going to be something meaningful that happens. There’s going to be something worth discussing with my husband, my son and his wife, and our little granddaughters. They are five and seven, and they’ve been at the House a couple times, and I look forward to when they can volunteer. So, I mean, it is not a question of my having to motivate myself to come. I love it here. And the only reason I haven’t acted on adding more hours is that, because we’re retired, we travel a fair amount, and I always feel guilty when I can’t come in on a Thursday afternoon.

Gillian: Yeah, that totally makes sense. It is such a special place.