Families at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island were surprised last week with gifts for everyone from babies to grandparents.
To kick off their 12 Days of Jingle Bowl promotion, Bowlmor AMF brought about 100 gifts for all ages to the families staying at the house for the holidays, senior public relations specialist Jillian Laufer said.
Laufer said the organization partnered with the house for the first time this year, bringing gifts ranging from toys for children and scarves for winter to household items and gifts for the parents as well.
“The mood was very cheerful. Everyone was really grateful and happy for the presents,” Laufer said. “A nice surprise was that we weren’t just giving presents to the kids but to the whole family. A lot of moms were surprised we were giving them presents.”
The group also donated $5,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities as well as about 500 free bowling passes “so the families can bowl and have a night out on us,” Laufer said at one of the organization’s 13 Long Island locations.
Ronald McDonald House of Long Island President Matthew Campo said the house’s 42 bedrooms were full to capacity for Christmas this year, and gifts were left for families who were out of the house for treatment or other errands.
Campo said the families were “just floored” by the outpouring of gifts during the party.
“What we do here at the house is we’re taking care of families in every way, shape and form in a non-clinical sense so the families can focus on what’s most important which is the health and well-being of their child,” Campo said. “Everything we do is centered around that, including offering a little bit of a distraction from what’s happening at the hospital.”
Campo said the organization decorates year-round to give families a sense of home during holidays and greatly appreciated the partnership with Bowlmor AMF.
Similar events were held at the Ronald McDonald House in New York City and New Brunswick, New Jersey.
“We’re tremendously grateful,” Campo said. “We’re a community-supported organization fully funded by philanthropy. It’s meaningful for us when companies like Bowlmor AMF take us under their wing and hit all three of the components we value most: time, treasure and talent.”
