Smithtown Youth Bureau Teens Get Creative to Help Families

On August 15th, 2024, Smithtown Youth Bureau teens came together to make a difference. More than 30 middle and high school students visited the Horizons Center in Smithtown to make cards and tic-tac-toe games for sick children and families at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) New York Metro.

Anyone can make a difference.

The Youth Bureau, led by Executive Director Janine Marc-Anthony and run by a dedicated staff, serves Smithtown and surrounding areas. They focus on improving youth and family well-being through numerous year-round activities. The teens who attended the workshop also donated over $200 in Wish List essentials for our two Ronald McDonald House Charities Family Rooms in Suffolk County: one located inside Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and the other within Stony Brook Hospital’s NICU. Donated items included disinfecting wipes, paper towels, snacks, toilet paper, cleaning spray, and more.

Our Family Rooms provide families of children undergoing medical treatment with a place to rest and relax, laundry facilities, private bathrooms and showers, fresh meals and snacks–all at no charge. The Family Rooms are located inside the hospital, just steps away from their child’s bedside.

Kids helping kids.

Cassandra Basile, RMHC New York Metro Director of PR and Marketing, visited the teens while they worked on their board games and cards. She highlighted the importance of kids helping kids, RMHC NYM programs, and their impact on families. Some of the students were aware of the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ programs and some were not. By the end of the workshop, the guests had a great understanding of how RMHC programs keep families together during a medical crisis.

To get your youth organization involved in helping sick kids and families, please consider hosting your own Wish List Drive or donating a meal to our families in Stony Brook or New Hyde Park.

Everyone can get involved.

Youth groups, schools, and organizations across Queens and Long Island can get involved, earn community service hours, and give back to families in their community. Here are just a few ways folks can get involved in RMHC New York Metro: