Employees prepare to deliver home-cooked meals to Ronald McDonald House, one of the nonprofit groups supported by LCRA volunteers.

Through a company volunteer program, LCRA employees have helped families staying at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas with financial contributions and volunteer work since 1991. Ronald McDonald House, located at 403 East 15th Street in Austin, provides a 'home away from home' for family members of sick children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Two dozen LCRA employees regularly provide home-cooked meals to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. By participating in LCRA Employees' Volunteer program, each volunteer team is responsible for providing Saturday lunch for 20 to 25 people.

These meals are well-received by the parents who have hospitalized children, giving them a sense of camaraderie, not to mention good nutrition and savings on meals they don't have to buy in a hospital cafeteria, said Missy Strittmatter, director of development of Ronald McDonald House.

"Somebody may not think that's not a big deal. But it is a big deal. Our parents are so focused on whatever is happening at the hospital with their children that they often don't take time to eat," she said. "It also provides an avenue of conversation between families. They talk about what is happening with their children. There is a sense of community that wouldn't be there otherwise."

Judy Figoski, office manager in the LCRA General Manager's office, said providing the meals "is a way for me and my team to provide the families with a little comfort."

Pull Tab Program
LCRA employees have also shown their support by participating in other programs, notably the Pull Tab Program, in which the Ronald McDonald House recycles aluminum tabs from drink, pet food and tuna cans. The recycling collection boxes are located in LCRA employee break rooms.

Since July 2000, Kathy Carriger, LCRA administrative associate, has collected, recycled and donated the proceeds to cover the housing expenses of families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

Last year, contributions from LCRA employees were added to the 13,000 pounds of pull tabs collected by Ronald McDonald House in the greater Austin area. All told, those tiny tabs added up to about than $5,000 for the nonprofit organization, Strittmatter said. "It's so simple," she said. "It's a way for people who don't have a lot of money to get engaged and really help other people."

Payroll deductions
In addition to volunteering their time and funds, LCRA employees can contribute to nonprofit organizations such as Ronald McDonald House through LCRA Employees' United Charities. The employee-run foundation collects money through payroll deductions and makes donations to nonprofit organizations in the LCRA service area.

Employees also can leverage their volunteer time through LCRA's Dollars for Doers' program. For each hour an employee volunteers at a nonprofit, LCRA contributes $2 to the employee's designated charity (up to $200 per year).

Would you like assistance from LCRA employees for an upcoming volunteer activity in your community? Contact LCRA Volunteer Services.