Photo courtesy of Pitt Community College.
This past holiday season, the SkillsUSA chapter at Pitt Community College (PCC) in Winterville, N.C. launched a Holiday Giveback Service Project to support our local Ronald McDonald House. From November through December, chapter members collected items from both the House Wish List and Santa’s Room Wish List, filling boxes with donations to brighten the holidays for families staying near Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville.
Spaghetti Dinner and a Birthday Surprise
On Saturday, December 6, chapter members delivered two boxes of House Wish List items and one box of Santa’s Room donations — then rolled up their sleeves to cook. SkillsUSA officers prepared and served a full spaghetti dinner for more than 30 house guests, along with an additional 15 meals for patients and families. The spread included spaghetti, garlic toast, Caesar salad, chocolate chip cookies and beverages.
The visit held an especially heartfelt moment when members had the opportunity to help celebrate a guest’s birthday. Joining together to sing “Happy Birthday” brought visible joy to the family — a reminder that service goes far beyond tasks, but that it can actually touch people’s lives.
Building Construction student Nicholas Snedeker said, “I personally thought that it was a great experience overall and very wholesome — I also had a fun time helping.”
He went on to reveal a very personal connection to the project, “My family actually stayed in that Ronald McDonald House around 2004 before my sister passed from a brain tumor,” Snedeker explained. “I love that I’m able to help people that have helped my family and just give back to our community overall.”
“Being there and being able to provide them with a good meal in their hard moments is a good feeling. Seeing people celebrate a birthday there and be able to smile while we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ with everything that they have going on — it just leaves this special feeling that money can’t buy,” he says.
Back for Breakfast
Student enthusiasm didn’t end after the first visit. With strong interest in the project, the chapter scheduled a second volunteer day after the fall semester concluded.
On Tuesday, December 16, students and advisors returned to prepare and serve breakfast for approximately 50 guests. The morning menu featured biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit cups, yogurt, and juice. Additional Wish List donations collected between visits were also delivered.
For many members, the project offered a shift in perspective that no classroom lesson could replicate.
Student Lawson Bennett explained the feelings of participants this way, “The experience puts into perspective how lucky we are and having the opportunity to help those in need — seeing what others are facing on a daily basis,” he says. “Being able to make a difference to their everyday routine by getting a different ‘How are you?’ to make their day.”
Mailboxes and More
This project reflects our students’ commitment to serving the community and supporting families in need. Members have already expressed enthusiasm for returning to volunteer again this semester.
In addition, the construction students will be building mailboxes for Ronald McDonald House families to use during their stay, with delivery and a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for March.
The projects were also personal for advisor Crystal Boseman,
“My family had to stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Durham, N.C. when my two children had to have eye surgeries for detached retinas,” Boseman says. “I remember the tremendous load that it took off me as a parent not having to worry about where we’re staying or trying to grab food while my children were hurting and uncomfortable. The Ronald McDonald House provided warm meals, activities for my children, and smiling people who genuinely cared for us and prayed with us,” she says.
“Being able to serve at my local RMH and give other families what those volunteers gave to mine in our time of need is way beyond any words I could ever express. Seeing the joy on the family’s faces when we joined in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ reminded me of the joy on my children’s faces when others interacted with them in one of their darkest times.”
