Oct 30, 2015

Children and their families living at Ronald McDonald House in Galveston were treated to a night of games, prizes and fun when College of the Mainland volunteers came to play.

“The kids were all sweet and smiling. They seemed to enjoy having us there,” said COM professor and COMPeers member Susan Morawski, who volunteered with her husband, John.

The employee group, COMPeers, which previously held an ice cream social at Ronald McDonald House, opted to run a fun-filled bingo night.

“I was a physician assistant for about a quarter of a century and I know how hard it can be not only for patients but the family as well,” said Margaret Cussen, COMPeers officer. “It's a way of giving them a little happiness in their days. There was a little boy about a year old who had both arms (burned), and he was easily placated. I’m always amazed at how children respond.”

COMPeers also donated 20 gallons of pop-top tabs, which the house uses to raise money.

COMPeers Martha Willis, Amanda Garza, Deanna Machula and COM student Maria Enriquez also participated.

The Ronald McDonald House program provides a “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost. 

An active community service group, COMPeers also conducts school supply drives and other projects to support local needs.

The group is currently accepting donations of Box Tops for Education for local schools, on a rotation basis, and pop tops from aluminum cans to benefit Ronald McDonald House in Galveston. COMPeers has donated Box Tops to schools in La Marque, Texas City, Dickinson, Santa Fe and Hitchcock ISDs. 

For more information or to donate, contact Rosie Rojas, COMPeers secretary, at rrojas@com.edu.