Submitted by Michelle
The SeaHawkers Booster Club has been coming to the Seattle Ronald McDonald House for over ten years to give residents a taste of the Seahawks “game-day experience.” Last Saturday, the group came to the House to prepare and serve brunch, along with the Sea Gals and Blitz the Seahawk mascot. Everyone got into the spirit of the day, so the House was awash with blue and green shirts. The kids loved chatting with the Sea Gals over cupcakes, and one of the Sea Gals even used her iPhone to Facetime a quick greeting to a former resident, who has now recovered.
Parents and kids alike said the day was one to remember. One kid was so excited that he got up at 5 AM in preparation for the day, even though the event started at 10 AM! A mom remarked that the visit “made the day super special” for her and her kids. As a way to remember the special day, the SeaHawkers also provided an on-site photographer who took free keepsake photos for families, which were printed on site.
Around 11 AM, the SeaHawkers brought another surprise for our families – a performance by the Seahawk’s Blue Thunder Drumline. The Drumline performed several numbers and then let the kids try out the drums and cymbals for themselves. The “Weehawk,” a good luck Seahawks themed doll invented by SeaHawker Chris Johnson, even got into the action, dancing along to the beat.
To make the day even more special, the SeaHawkers brought the Beast Bus to the House for the first time ever. The Beast Bus is a double decker bus, imported from London, painted with Seahawks colors and decorated with memorabilia. It even has a replica of the Lombardi trophy and original seats from the Kingdome inside. Kids and their families had a great time exploring both levels of the bus and honking the horn which was loud and proud like the Seahawks fans themselves.
The SeaHawkers Booster Club started in 1976, and is the longest-tenured ‘official’ booster club of any team in the NFL. All chapters are involved in giving back to their community, and the SeaHawkers regularly visit RMHC twice a year to bring the spirit of the 12s to our families. They have even been awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their work at Ronald McDonald House in 2013. Over the years, the SeaHawkers have brought everything from firetrucks to Seahawks themed sportscars with them and we are so glad to have them as part of our volunteer groups.
If you are interested in getting involved with the House like the SeaHawkers, we are always looking for groups to come prepare and serve meals for our families. Our entirely volunteer meal program offers family dinners at both of our Houses Sunday through Thursday at 5 p.m. It is just another way that RMHC is a “home-away-from-home” for families and children during difficult times. If you are a group of three or more and would like to cook a meal for our families, look for an available date on our website and get in touch with Eleanor Garrison, Activities Coordinator.
Other opportunities to help the House abound this summer. We are the beneficiary of the FroYo5k race which takes place on July 25th at Kirkland
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