Corrections staff say 'thanks' to Ronald McDonald House with donation

From left, Ariana and daughter Neiana Solomon from Masterton, who are staying at the House check out the donated baking goods with Kelly Walker, Bridget Cowles and Maryam Daryani.

A group of Corrections employees have banded together to show their appreciation for Ronald McDonald House.

A post on the Ronald McDonald House Facebook page earlier this month calling for some baking staples caught the eye of Hutt Valley Community Corrections administration officer Maryam Daryani.

Daryani, who has a personal connection to the charity, immediately swung into action, putting the call out to her colleagues at Lower Hutt Community Corrections, while probation officer Kelly Walker did the same at Upper Hutt Community Corrections.

"I wanted to show my thanks to the staff at Ronald McDonald House," Daryani said.

"When my son was just seven weeks old, he was flown to Starship Hospital in Auckland, and we stayed at Ronald McDonald House there. It was an extremely stressful situation, but we were well supported by their team. They also connected us with other families who were going through a similar situation. This donation is one way of saying thanks."

The result is two large banana boxes of basic baking ingredients - flour, sugar, icing sugar, desiccated coconut, and other "fun" items like chocolate chips and hundreds and thousands. The donation was further bolstered by a $100 Countdown gift card.

"The Corrections team generously donated new food items, and they also chipped in for the Countdown voucher," Daryani said.

"There are many volunteers who bake for families who stay at Ronald McDonald House, and we wanted to make sure they have everything they need to make healthy snacks as well as fun treats."

The baking items were presented to Ronald McDonald House Charities community engagement officer Bridget Cowles yesterday.

"When our families come back to the House after a long day on the ward, a sweet treat made by our amazing volunteers can make their day just that little bit easier," she said.

"Thanks so much to Community Corrections for re-filling our pantry with these staple ingredients and bringing a smile to our families' faces."

Last week the Counties-Manukau District Health Board dropped plans for a Ronald McDonald House at Middlemore Hospital.

due to fast food link