19 Apr Ronald McDonald Volunteer Group Spotlight: Starbucks
My name is Gina Dullanty and I’m a store manager at Starbucks in Caldwell, ID. During my 19 years with Starbucks, working in the community has always one of the best perks. In 2017 I moved here to open the new store in Ontario, OR and to unite my team I leaned on community service to bring us together. Ronald McDonald House was one of the regular spots, not because it was close but because of their mission and the special place it held in many of my partners hearts. Multiple of my partners had family at one point stay at the House and had personal stories to share. Getting volunteers was easy and it became a monthly event. We would gather together and drive down as one. The whole experience became a tradition and part of what brought us even closer together as a team, and a family.
Since then, I’ve brought my first team there and even gone and volunteered with upper management – VP, RD’s and more! The RMD House always makes volunteering easy and fun, and I love being able to see the families grab a plate or delicious treat that we’ve made specially for them.
Through Starbucks we have had the opportunity to nominate and get Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho the Neighborhood Grants. The Starbucks Foundation supports and awards money to local nonprofits that partners rally around, and it has been an honor to be a part of getting RMHC Idaho money to support the work they do in the community.