When a child arrives at the Ronald McDonald House in Albany they might feel far from home, but Schalmont students are trying to make their stay a little more comfortable and welcoming.
The Schalmont Middle School’s Handicrafters Unite Giving Security (HUGS) Club donated 20 quillows to the Ronald McDonald House on Monday, May 7. The 14 club members crafted the quillows, which is a quilt with a pocket at one end allowing for it to transform into a pillow.
Dan Burns, board member of the Ronald McDonald House, attended a reception to receive the donations on behalf of the organization and thanked the students for their efforts.
“I think it is great each of you are involved in an activity that are supporting the community,” Burns said to the students.
Children from all over the state come to the house, which consists of two Victorian homes providing 16 rooms. Each family is given a room with its own bathroom and phone while a child is undergoing treatment at Albany Medical Center.
“The idea is to make kids feelat home,” Burns said. “These quillows are fabulous because it helps children who may have arrived at the Ronald House not expecting to be there.”
He said the quillows allow the children to have something that shows somebody cares about them and then they can take it home with them after leaving.
Diane Babin, HUGS Club advisor and home and careers teacher, said the club normally makes around 14 quillows to donate, but this year the group was able to exceed her expectations.
“You guys worked really hard this year and I am very pleased,” Babin said before awarding student with certificates.
Babin, who has advised the club for 11 years, said the students select where the quillows are donated and she likes having a representative come in to accept them. Two former teachers started the club in the fall of 2000.
“I think they see the value of it,” Babin said. “Because we have the organization come and pick up the quillows they found out a little bit more on where they are going and how they are going to be used. It gives it a more personal touch.”
She said it is important for students to have an opportunity to volunteer their time. Some club members are now high school seniors and stuck with the club after leaving middle school.
“They get to look beyond themselves,” Babin said. “It is important for them to see beyond, that there are people that do have needs and they have a talent that can meet those needs.”
It also allows her to connect with students in a different way than what can be done through a classroom setting, she said.
“I see the students in a different light,” Babin said. “It is more relaxing than working with them in a class. I get to know them much better.”
Abby Malone, a seventh-grader, said she enjoys doing community service and has volunteered for the Ronald McDonald House outside of the club.
Hannah List, a fellow seventh-grader, said it feels good to know kids are being comforted with the quillows she made.
There is one family from Iraq currently staying at the home. Burns said families from “all over the world” come to the home because Albany Medical Center offers specialized operations and procedures. The home is located on South Lake Avenue a short distance from Albany Medical Center.
“It is a little United Nations type of place,” Burns said.
Mason Brown said he moved to the school district this year and looked into joining clubs to help make friends.
The only problem was he also is on the modified football team and it met at the same time as the club, so he would alternate going to each.
“I like helping out here, I like this club, but I have to go to football otherwise I would get kicked off the team,” Brown said. “I’m planning to stay in the club next year after going into high school.”
