Helping HAND Awards

Helping “HAND” Awards in honour of Dr. Jack Hand

History

Each time the original committee and then the Board of Directors of Ronald McDonald House met, Dr. Jack Hand would ask the same question. “When will the House be opened?” Jack had a unique understanding of the overwhelming need for Ronald McDonald House in Newfoundland and Labrador. Each and every day in his practice he would meet families who needed Our House to be opened. He continually reminded the Board of Directors that they must work hard and ensure no time was wasted in finishing the House and bringing it to the people who need it.

Jack was passionate about the project. He offered himself up to carry out any task required. He participated in fund raising activities, traveled to Labrador on two occasions to raise awareness, offered sound and frequent advice about what people needed who would stay at the House and he even went on Open Line. He never wavered in his commitment to make the House a reality.

Ronald McDonald House opened in September of 2012. It opened with the lasting memory that the Campaign Team could not have succeeded without Jack’s contribution, without his knowledge and absolute commitment to his patients and their families who need this House during very difficult times.

Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador is grateful to the time and energy Dr. Jack Hand gave to making our House a reality.
Now that Our House is opened, we proudly remember Jack and that he would not have to ask “the question” anymore.

To honor Jack’s contribution and the unwavering support received, Ronald McDonald House Charities Newfoundland and Labrador implemented the Helping “HAND” Awards.in 2013 to honour those that reflect the passion, dedication and commitment that Jack had for Ronald McDonald House and its mission of keeping families close to each other and the medical care and resources they need, when they need it the most.

NOMINATIONS FOR 2025 NOW OPEN

Deadline to submit nominations March 31, 2025 at 4PM: ONLINE NOMINATION FORM

Categories

The Helping “HAND” awards are presented annually during the Strength in Numbers Volunteer Conference, a Volunteer Week celebration or Ronald McDonald House Charities Newfoundland and Labrador Annual General meeting by a member of the Hand Family if possible. In the absence of a family member, awards may be presented by the Executive Director.

The “Helping HAND Awards” in honor of Dr. Jack Hand will be presented annually in the following categories:

Family Services Volunteer
House Programs
Community Engagement Volunteer
Leadership Volunteer
RMHC Champion – McDonald’s Crew
Outstanding Philanthropist (Individual, Young Hero & Corporate)
Outgoing Board Chairperson

Criteria:

Active volunteer/business/group with Ronald McDonald House Charities Newfoundland and Labrador whose efforts have produced specific, positive results in our house, the community or in a leadership or support role;
A volunteer/business/group whose contributions reflect the passion, dedication and commitment that Jack had for Ronald McDonald House and its mission;
A volunteer/business/group who has been involved with Ronald McDonald House for a minimum of 1 year;
A volunteer/business/group who is an exemplary role model for others and who leads by example; and
Past winners of this award are not eligible for re-nomination in the same category; staff are not eligible for nomination;
Current, active Board Members are not eligible for nomination
Self-Nominations are gladly accepted.

Selection

Everyone involved with RMHC NL is invited to submit a nomination
Self-Nominations are gladly accepted.
The Senior Management of Ronald McDonald House, along with two appointed Board Members will be the Selection Committee, and are not eligible for this award.

NOMINATIONS FOR 2025 NOW OPEN

Deadline to submit nominations March 31, 2025 at 4PM: ONLINE NOMINATION FORM

The “Helping HAND Awards” in honor of founding board member Dr. Jack Hand will be presented in April 2022 in the following categories:

Family Services Volunteer
House Programs (Individual and Corporate/Group)
Community Engagement Volunteer
Leadership Volunteer
Outstanding Philanthropist (Individual, Young Hero & Corporate/Group)
RMHC McDonald’s Champion

PAST WINNERS

Family Services

2024 Cherry-Lynn Benson
2023 Steve Erbland
2022 Marg Pumphrey and Peg Lannon
2021 Claudette Yetman
2020 Bonnie Grandy
2019 Tina Hand
2018 Marjorie Frampton
2017 Nicole Devereaux
2016 Doug & Lily Rideout
2015 Alex Gibson
2014 Jackie Furlong

Community Engagement Volunteer

2024 Natasha Hobbs
2023 Nyiesha Short
2022 KM for Kids Team
2021 Cindy Wells
2020 BJ Osmond, Pilley’s Island
2019 The Penney Family, Arnold’s Cove
2018 Tanya Barron, Placentia
2017 Shirley Clarke, Chance Cove
2016 Chris & Rosanne Dunn, Conception Bay South
2015 Camille Bryan, Port Saunders
2014 Annette Higdon, New Harbour

Leadership Volunteer

2024 Shirley Kinden
2023 Gary Follett
2022 Ken Murphy
2021 Rod Legge
2020 Brian Pitcher, Hearts Content
2019 Stephen & Sherry King
2018 Chad Haggett
2017 Stephen Patten
2016 Tina Harris, Labrador City
2015 Melissa Thomas
2014 Lorna King

House Programs – Corporate/Group

2024 KPMG
2023 RothLochston
2022 Smith Snacks
2021 McDonald’s Freedom Foods, Trevor Morris
2020 The Courage Family
2019 Rotary Club of St. John’s Northwest
2018 Brittany Ryan
2017 Taedy O’Rourke
2016 Margot Nash
2015 Subsea7
2014 Chatters Salon

House Programs – Individual

2024 Gwen King
2023 Mehrnaz Shampspour
2022 Mary Cahill

RMHC Champion – McDonald’s Crew

2024 Melissa Hayes
2023 Crystal Deering
2022 Lisa Martin
2021 Tammy Maillet

Outstanding Philanthropist – Corporate

2024 NTV/OZFM
2023 XXIX Venture
2022 Ches’s Fish & Chips
2021 Kinsmen Club Co0Op 50/50 Notre Dame Lewisporte
2020 PAL Airlines
2019 McDonald’s NL Owner & Operators
2018 Tucker Electronics/Tucker Window Film
2017 Capital Subaru
2016 Coca-Cola
2015 Belfor Property Restoration
2014 Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

Outstanding Philanthropist – Individual

2024 Jason Smith
2023 Raymond Walsh
2022 Delores Foster
2021 Frank Moores
2020 Beverly Critch
2019 Dylan Gibbons
2018 Mrs. Irene Sutton

Outstanding Philanthropist – Young Hero

2024 Karlee MacDonald
2023 Lincoln Hefford
2022 Tori Corcoran-Foley
2021 Emma King
2020 Gavin Matthews/Albert Matthews/Benjamin Matthews
2019 Gabe Flynn

Outgoing Board Chair

2024 Erin Higdon

2023 Theresa Rahal
2018 Gerry Beresford (2009-2018)

2024 Helping HAND Award Winners