SUSAN CIRIELLO

Susan Ciriello joined the volunteer staff on March 12, 1990, months before the actual opening of the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, Mass. She has given her time, talent, and love to the families and the Teen Board for almost 10 years. Ciriello has been the activities director for several years, bringing families to hockey games, circuses, basketball games, rodeos, and movies. She has done activities with the children in the House as well as cooked meals, baked cookies, and made birthday cakes.

As a Teen Board advisor, Ciriello attends monthly meetings with students from area high schools to plan activities for the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield. She is involved in the recruitment, interviewing, selection process, and training for the Teen Board. She is actively involved with the volunteer committee, working projects such as “Hallowscream” at the local amusement park to raise money for the House, handing out informational fliers at volunteer fairs, and selling House merchandise at various community fairs. Ciriello has participated in two masquerade charity balls raising $2,000 for the “home-away-from-home.”

As a regular House volunteer, Ciriello has committed more than 2,500 hours working on Thursday morning as the receptionist – answering telephones, taking referrals for families, counting volunteer hours, filing, typing, and other office duties. She also actively participates in decorating the House for holidays and is a member of the Speakers’ Bureau as a spokesperson promoting the House’s mission. Ciriello is always ready to lend a helping hand in numerous functions such as shopping, as well as delivering and picking up donated items.

Not only is Ciriello a committed, dedicated volunteer for the “House That Love Built,” she is also involved in her church youth activity programs. She has been vital to the Special Olympics program for adults who have received kidney transplants. Ciriello is a kidney transplant survivor who feels a strong vocation to community involvement.

Susan Ciriello is not only a special volunteer but a special person as well. She brings a sense of humor to cheer the families at the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield and brings a smile to their faces. The children and teens relate especially well to her as she has the unique ability of making every person feel that they are special.