Roofers Donate to Ronald McDonald House

Pictured from left to right: John Stephenson, IAF Committee; Dan Knight, IAF Committee Office; Carol Fruend, RMH Volunteer; Doug Jones, IAF Committee; and Bob Stanton, IAF Committee. Not pictured: Mike Jordon, Dennis Bartch, Dan O’Donnell and Denny Marshall, IAF Committee.

The Industry Advancement Fund, established by Roofers Local No. 2 and the Signatory Roofing Contractors, recently donated toys to the McGift Shop at Ronald McDonald House, located at 4381 West Pine in St. Louis. The toys were distributed to children to children and families receiving medical services at St. Louis area hospitals. Ronald McDonald House provides temporary housing and support services to families.

“This donation of toys will make the holidays brighter for families affected by illness,” notes Carol Fruend, a volunteer at McGift Shop. “We appreciate the generosity, especially at this time of year.”

The House provides a home-like atmosphere where families can sleep, eat, watch television, relax and spend time with other families in similar situations. Families referred to the House live outside a 50-mile radius of St. Louis, making it difficult to commute for medical services.

Each family stays in a private bedroom. The families share a kitchen, playroom, television room, recreational room, and laundry facilities. Since the first St. Louis Ronald McDonald House opened, more than 12,000 families from all over the U.S. and several other countries have been served. The average length of stay is nine days, but some families, particularly those of transplant patients, stay for several months.

The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local No. 2 office is located at 2920 Locust Street in St. Louis.

The Industry Advancement Fund was established to maintain and promote the unionized roofing industry in Missouri and Illinois, and it is funded by the Signatory Roofing Contractors.

For more information, call 314-535-9683.