Oscar Mayer

You may have thought the title was a typo, but it’s purposeful.

Durham, North Carolina is home to many wonderful things. Full of culture, museums, and top tier colleges, it’s also home to a place where people hold onto to hope. That place is the Ronald McDonald House of Durham.

A Ronald McDonald House is a place of residence where the parents of children that are being administered treatment can stay at night for reduced or no cost. When medical bills are quick to pile up in this day and age, it’s a charity that is extremely beneficial for loved ones wanting to stay close by.

Atta-Dog Adam and I loaded up on Wiener Whistles and stickers and set out to make every family we came across in the house smile. Residents ventured out excited upon us arriving. I guess it isn’t hard to miss a giant hot dog that plays a jingle for a horn.

Director David Knobeloch greeted us with a sense of warmness that you could only have if you truly loved your job and cared about the people you were working for. As he was giving us a tour of the facilities, I paused in the playroom when I noticed a similarity:

Do you see something the Wienermobile and the playroom share in common? Perhaps one sky-covered ceiling?

Us Hotdoggers’ are always looking for ways to learn about a way to participate in helping a cause. David shared that what sets this Ronald McDonald House apart is the way they turn trash into treasure–or, in this case, money.

Over $23,000 was raised last year by collecting the little tabs you pull to open soda, soup or other aluminum cans. The funds generated from recycling these aluminum gems help offset the House’s expenses. Talk about making something out of nothing!

We’ve included a paper house on our Hotdogging table just in case anyone with a tab nearby can ‘pop’ in some much needed help.

Thanks to David and all the families we were fortunate enough to ‘meat’! We’ll wear our t-shirts with pride.