Meals from the Heart for RMH-SWVA

Once again, on October 29, 2025, through the program Meals from the Heart, our members prepared a delicious meal at the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia located in Roanoke, VA.

The Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia (RMH/SWVA) provides temporary housing for families whose children are receiving treatment for serious illness or injury at a health facility in the Roanoke community.

Families spend long days at the hospital and often have little energy or resources to prepare a meal. The gift of a hot, balanced meal is always enjoyed and gives the families a feeling of normalcy when they are away from home.

SMLWC member, Alice Gianiaris presents RMH-SWVA with preemie hats baby blankets.

Our members also presented the RMH-SWVA with preemie hats and baby blankets handmade by our members. These will be donated to the families staying at RMH/SWVA who have babies admitted to the Natal ICU. in the hospitals in the Roanoke Valley area.

Left to right: Sarah Chichester, Sandy Orlerich, Sue Drombetta, Julie Hamilton and Alice Gianiaris

Members who participated in cooking were Sarah Chichester, SMLWC President and Sue Drombetta, SMLWC First VP. Other members were Alice Gianiaris, Julie Hamilton and Sandy Orlerich. The meal consisted of Salisbury steak, roasted potatoes, green beans, and apple crisp. Our members greatly enjoyed the fellowship of working together to provide this hearting meal

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SMLWC First VP, Sue Drombetta drops off the soda and soup can tap tops at the RMH-SWVA drop off box.

Our Members also participate in collecting tap tops from soda and other canned goods and we donate them to RMH-SWVA through their Tab Top - Pull for the House program. Tab tops from your soda, beverage or soup is a major fundraising effort for the RMHC-SWVA. This tiny tab top can help raise thousands of dollars to support the families of seriously ill or injured children receiving medical treatment in local Roanoke Valley area hospitals.