Volunteer is a ‘jack of all trades’

When Dorothy Browe started volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House nearly three decades ago, she never knew just how much a part of her life it would become.

In the spring, she reached 4,000 hours of volunteer service to the organization, receiving a commendation from President Barack Obama. Recently, she was one of nine women honored by Assemblyman David McDonough at a Women of Distinction Ceremony for residents of the 14th Assembly District.

Browe, of Wantagh, has been a self-described “jack of all trades” for the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island over the past 29 years. The facility, located in New Hyde Park, provides housing for families of seriously ill children being cared for at local hospitals.

She can be found there for four hours every Tuesday. As a clerk, she answers the telephone, sends mail and greets visitors. Over the years she has attended fairs to promote the Ronald McDonald House’s services, written thank you letters to donors, and organized merchandise fairs. She helps families arrange transportation to medical facilities, and ensures they have the supplies they need during their stays.

“It’s really a hard job to describe,” she said. “I’ve done a lot of different things over the years, and still going and doing it.”

Browe has met families from all over the world who have come to Long Island seeking medical care for their children. She said she enjoys interacting with the children and their loved ones, and hopes to make their time at the Ronald McDonald House a little better.

“It’s helping children,” she said. “It means a lot just to bring some joy while they’re in their time of need.”

Browe’s service with the Ronald McDonald House began because of her involvement with the Homemakers Council of Nassau County. The organization, which hosts sewing and cooking classes as well as community service projects, helped the facility get off the ground by holding “kitchen showers” to outfit the house with dishes, utensils and all other necessary items.

At that time, Browe, a mother of two, was recently widowed. She said that volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House was good therapy for her as she coped with her loss.

Browe, a native of Oceanside, has lived in Wantagh for 64 years and her children attended Levittown Schools. She has five grandchildren and recently welcomed her first great-grandchild. Before having children, Browe worked as an X-ray technician.

Betti McClellan, director of volunteers and programs at Ronald McDonald House, nominated Browe, one of the first volunteers the facility had when it opened in 1986 for the Women of Distinction award. McClellan said that the volunteers are essential in supporting the efforts of the modest 15-person staff.

“Dot’s understanding of what the Ronald McDonald House means to a family in crisis is very important to us,” McClellan said. “It is gratifying to have volunteers like Dot who are committed to our cause.”

McDonough’s awards ceremony was held on Oct. 24 at the Merrick Library to honor “local women who go above and beyond to make our communities better places to live, work and raise a family,” he said.

Browe said it was an honor to be among the nine recipients honored that day. She said her volunteer work for the Ronald McDonald House has never been about the recognition. It’s been about working with other like-minded individuals to do right for people in need. “It’s a very friendly, happy group, trying to do good,” she said. “That’s what keeps me there.”