Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas

In September of 2009, Linda Isberg found herself among the thousands in Las Vegas to be out of work. She was used to working a 40 hour week and suddenly had a lot of extra time on her hands. So Linda called the Ronald McDonald House to see how she could help as a volunteer...and we're so glad she did! Linda has become one of our most faithful and dependable volunteers, and was recently awarded Volunteer of the Quarter for the 4th quarter of 2009.

Linda had never volunteered before, and didn't know what to expect when she started. She just knew that she didn't want to sit around her house reading books all day. During her first month, Linda was approached by a boy staying at the House who was here waiting to have heart surgery.

After introducing himself, he asked to give Linda a hug, which is a moment that will forever stand out in her mind. "I love talking to the families staying at the House and at the hospital," she says. "I can really see how my time is helping them.

Not only does Linda drive 24 miles from Anthem twice a week to help make and deliver sandwiches for the Lunch is on Us program, she is always willing to fill in at a moment's notice when we need her. The Lunch is on Us program provides 550 lunches every week to families staying with their children at Sunrise Children's Hospital and University Medical Center (UMC), and is 100% volunteer driven. Without volunteers like Linda, the program would not be possible. When asked what she's going to do when she does find full time work again, Linda insists that she will still make time to help out at least one day a week. And we're going to hold her to that promise!