Jenna Dewan on The Importance of Ronald McDonald House Charity (Exclusive)

Jenna Dewan Not just an actress. NS Stepped up The star is using her fame to raise awareness of her work Ronald McDonald House Charity Many people seek causes to support Tuesday, an international effort to promote support for charities. The organization, which established its first home in 1974 in Philadelphia, provides a variety of services to families affected by children with severe illness. The organization provides families with a home away from home through comfort, support and resources for families as they travel miles away from their facility to get the medical care their children need.

Dewan, a mother of two, is inspired to join her own journey of motherhood. Pop Culture spoke to Dewan about how partnerships form and why she encourages all to contribute their time and services to the organization. Scroll through to read our Q-and-A with Rookies and Superman & Lois actress, edited for clarity.

PC: We heard that you are part of this great new partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charity organization. How did you get involved with it?

JD: I have known the Ronald McDonald House Charity for a long time and the incredible work they do. What really excites me is that as a mother, I know what it’s like to worry about my baby’s health, and I can’t imagine a sick child having to worry. about providing comfort, housing and care during admission. treatment. The fact that they offer it to families closer to the hospital where these children are being treated, free of charge and as a place of compassion and love and acceptance, really spoke to me. and even more important.

What exactly does your role with the charity entail?

Essentially, it helps raise awareness of the charity like never before. The economic impact of the coronavirus has hit the charity and affected families, and they need support more than ever. I’m helping with donations, helping raise awareness and just helping an incredible charity.

Have you been able to visit any of the homes on your own since you embarked on a partnership with them, or any family? Have you met them yet?

I have not. New protocols in our world have prevented that from happening, even though I really want to. My fiance, Steve [Kazee], had been there in the past and did some work with them, so he always told me about it. I really hope, someday, to be able to get there because, to me, that sounds amazing.

In what ways are you encouraging others to participate? In what ways can they help? Personally, I know a lot of people think the only way they can get involved is through monetary donations, but they have a great volunteering program.

That is really important. I think most people think that the only way to help is through financial means, but it’s awareness raising, word of mouth, volunteering, even a dollar donation. one month. I mean, anything that really helps this charity, so anything you can do.

If you could name a few reasons why you think, obviously, other than sick children benefiting in their families, why do you think this is a good charity for people to donate to? donate their time and money?

It’s an incredible charity that’s been around for years, and they’ve raised a lot of money, but they’ve also really helped a lot of families. I think to be able to help about 90% of the top children’s hospitals around the world and know that it’s a really old, amazingly run charity, needs the most amount of support. now more than ever. For me, I can’t imagine anything better than helping families with sick children, getting them housing and being able to relieve any anxiety they might have during that time.

You talked a little bit about the financial impact that is clearly a consequence of the past year and a half, two years of a global pandemic. In what ways has Ronald McDonald House been affected?

Everyone is affected. Of course, I think it’s necessary to contribute because our economy has gone through so many changes, they haven’t raised the money they need to help as many children as possible. So raising awareness, making sure people understand this is an incredible charity, and doing what we can do after such crazy two years to give back and help others is very important. important to me.

For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charity, you can visit the organization’s official website.