Maya Hall
Lantern Staff
Last year the Student Government Association (SGA) and Grizzly Ambassadors partnered with each other for Grizzlies Giveback Day, and this year they hosted an event to help the Ronald McDonald House in Wichita. The event provided lunch and cards for the families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House during troubling times. Gaby Guzman, president of SGA, and Chloe Cope, president of Grizzly Ambassadors, have both taken part in the events this year held by both of the groups.
“So last year we made a lot of goody bags and blankets for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Wesley,” Guzman said. “This year we brought them to the Ronald McDonald House and got a tour of the new house. We really wanted to get involved and do something for the community outside of Butler and just kind of do something more with SGA, so we all decided that we were going to come here and make a meal because they mentioned it when we were touring and giving them the supplies that we did last year. So we really wanted to give back to the community and do more elsewhere than just at Butler.”
They chose to go to the Ronald McDonald House because they had worked with them before and had connections. On top of that, they believe helping out at the Ronald McDonald House is a good cause and helpful to families in need.
“I like doing this a lot; it makes me feel happy,” Cope said. “I actually have a connection with one of the families here and heard stories of them talking about how nice it is and that they don’t have to worry about making a meal when they already have so much going on. So it is really nice knowing that I get to help out.”
The two groups made lunch and inspiring cards to set out on the dining tables. They spent about a month and a half preparing for the visit and stayed in contact with the Ronald McDonald House to ensure they would be able to come.
“It has been super fun doing this,” Guzman said. “I am not a cook at all, but this has gotten me out of my comfort zone, which has been fun too. The employees here are so nice, and they have been really helpful. It is just really nice to do something where you see the change that you are making. You see the food that you are making, and you know that it is going to go somewhere good. It is just really awesome to see the impact that you are making.”