Our Elite Achievement Club is for those volunteers who have served our House for over ten years and dedicated over 500 hours of their time to our families. Dennis Jones is one of the few volunteers with this distinction. Since 2016, Dennis has been a committed and passionate volunteer at RMHC North Central Florida.
After living in Syracuse, NY for 35 years, Dennis, his wife Sharon, and their two best friends decided to retire. They wanted some place warm and sunny, with quality medical facilities, and in a college town with continuous learning opportunities and major sports. This led them to Gainesville, FL.
“When we retired, we knew that we wanted to get involved in volunteer activities. We were aware of RMHC and its mission and decided that RMHCNCF would be our charity of choice. We believe deeply in its mission and values, and we have found a truly caring and dedicated staff here,” says Dennis.
When Dennis started volunteering, over 11 years ago, he worked the Tuesday afternoon shift in the Ronald McDonald Family Room on the 10th floor of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. He spent every week welcoming guests, comforting families, and making sure the Family Room was a place of respite in the busy hospital. After a few years, Dennis began getting involved in fundraising efforts. After 11 years, Dennis still serves the families in the Family Room while also helping to organize our Red Shoe Affair Silent Auction and taking on any other odd jobs that pop up at the House.
“The best part of volunteering at RMHC is meeting the families – being there for them, through the good and the bad…and the sense of giving of yourself – just to help others. When you hear the gratitude from the families, you know you’re really making a difference.”
