By Kaylee Utterback
I am currently a student at The Ohio State University and just recently started here as a Public Relations and Communications Intern at the Ronald McDonald House and oh what a great experience it’s been already! Growing up in Columbus, the House was a place I frequently heard about and saw often living fairly close to the hospital. My younger sister has been very involved in the youth program at the church I grew up in and The Ronald McDonald House is a place in which they volunteered at often. With that being said, I have always had ties to the House and loved the mission here. This past summer, the company I was currently interning for partnered with The Ronald McDonald House on Food Truck Fridays. This is where I met Ryan Wilkins the Senior Director of Communications and Facilities. I expressed my interest in helping out at the House and looking back I am so glad I did. I began the internship a few weeks ago and I can honestly say from the second I stepped foot in the House I knew I’d be happy here. Knowing my work will really impact the lives of others is an amazing feeling and definitely unique to the industry I’m in. Not to mention, the staff here adds the experience, everyone is so kind and welcoming every single day!
The Ronald McDonald House is here for one reason and that is to help. To help families find a place that feels like home in probably one of the toughest times in their life, when their child is sick. As I begin my projects here, whether it’s marketing an event to our community or communicating with sponsors I know that I am helping one more family find a home in the process. I am extremely grateful that I have been given the opportunity to actively support this mission day in and day out. I look forward to learning more and helping as much as I possibly can.