Audrey Bishop, a senior at Cinnaminson High School, has dedicated hours of her time to the Ronald McDonald House in Camden since her sophomore year.
Bishop has served on the Teen Advisory Council to the Ronald McDonald House in Camden for the past three years.
“There are close to 60 teenagers from all different areas of South Jersey,” Bishop said. “We meet at the house in Camden once per month. We have one major fundraiser per year as a group and it’s a bowling fundraiser. It raises anywhere from $20,000-$30,000 per year.”
The house is a home away from home for families of children in local hospitals can stay while their children receive treatment.
“I really like the message of the Ronald McDonald House. It’s supposed to be a home away from home for families of sick children. If you have a child in the hospital you don’t have to worry about what you’re having for dinner that night. It’s all taken care of for them.”
Each member of the council is asked to conduct a fundraiser where they live and Bishop recently completed her’s.
Bishop worked in conjunction with Hunter’s Farm Market this past week. The farm market donated a portion of proceeds raised during the week to the Ronald McDonald House in Camden via Bishop.
“There was an application I had to complete and there are requirements you have to meet to remain on the council,” Bishop said.
“One requirement is to hold a fundraiser in your community to spread awareness. You also have to be responsible for a task during the bowling fundraiser. I’ve handled raffles during the bowling fundraiser in the past.”
Bishop has enjoyed meeting a different family each year who comes to speak to the Advisory Council.
“Every year they try to get at least one family to come in and talk about their experience. A family from China came and talked to us last year. Their son was in the country for eye surgery that he wouldn’t have been able to get done in China.”
Bishop spoke about her fundraising efforts within her community.
“It’s really hard being the only one from Cinnaminson. If you have more than one person from your town you can work together on the community fundraiser. Some people are raising thousands of dollars because they can work with someone else. I’ve just been doing everything by myself so far. It’s kind of hard working alone, but I’ve done it.”
Bishop’s main goal for volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House is peace of mind for the families who stay there.
“I want families to have peace of mind. The people getting the benefits from the Ronald McDonald House can focus all of their energy and attention on their child in the hospital.”
Aside from the Advisory Council, Bishop also volunteers at Sacred Heart’s Bible School, Relay for Life and the Girl Scouts.
Bishop has yet to decide where she will attend college, but would like to major in chemistry.
“I’m looking to do either something in the industry or with education.”
Bishop can only serve on the advisory council while in high school, but she plans to continue her volunteer work past graduation.
“I plan on continuing to do volunteer work and community service in college. I will be upset to leave the Ronald McDonald House Advisory Council, but it won’t be too tough to walk away.”
Bishop said seeing her work in action makes her the happiest each time she visits the location in Camden.
“Every time you walk into the Ronald McDonald house each month for a meeting you see children with different ailments. It makes me so happy knowing I am doing something to help these children and their families. You’re actually getting to see the work you’re doing in action.”
When asked what she would tell a teen interested in volunteering on the Advisory Council, Bishop had this to say:
“My advice is to be prepared for an interview. It’s going to be good practice for college and job interviews. If they are approved for the council they should speak up. It can be intimidating, but I wouldn’t want anyone’s time to be wasted.”
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