By Emma Hasenstab, Communications & Marketing Intern
My name is Emma Hasenstab, and I am a sophomore at Columbus State Community College studying strategic communication. I am planning on transferring to The Ohio State University in the Fall of 2022. I grew up in Gahanna, Ohio and went to Gahanna Lincoln High School where I was involved in DECA (which prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and college), acapella choir, Young Life (a Christian youth organization) and I played lacrosse. I now live on Ohio State’s campus in a Young Life house with 9 other girls along with leading Young Life at Dublin Coffman High School. Growing up I had various health issues that really made me grow a heart for kids and families who are going through some of the struggles my family and I went through. This led to the hope that one day I would work in a medical non-profit.
My dad, Karl Hasenstab, played a large role in building the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, so I actually started volunteering here in middle school and high school. During my senior year of high school, I chose to do a project on the Ronald McDonald House through the DECA program. I was able to set up a plan that would increase the donations coming into the Ronald McDonald House by improving the charities online brand presence. This allowed me to learn a lot about RMHC and it sparked an interest to work at RMHC. I reached out to Ryan Wilkins at Ronald McDonald House Charites of Central Ohio and decided to take on an internship here.
My first impression of RMHC in Central Ohio was how kind and welcoming all the employees are. They all were willing to stop what they were doing to introduce themselves and tell me a little bit about what they do here. I also noticed how hard they all work to make the experience of the guests and families staying here as great as possible. I haven’t been here for long, but I have already learned a lot about how things operate at RMHC. I am excited to further my knowledge on the different opportunities I have here and to watch how this community makes a difference in others’ lives every day. This is going to be a great experience and I am ready to dive into what this internship has in store.