Ryan wasn't too excited with the idea of providing a meal as an Eagle project. He thought it was too easy of an Eagle project. Matter of fact, he knew he didn't want to do that. He was thinking bigger. As he thought more about his project, he thought it would be a better idea to provide Chromebooks to the Ronald McDonald House. Many times when people stay in the Ronald McDonald House, bringing their laptop is the last thing they think about. Those that have used the RMH for extended stays, it's nice to be able to keep in touch (chat, facebook, even video chat). Ryan thought providing Chromebooks would help families stay in touch with those other family members which are at home.
Ryan has a Chromebook and uses it for school and keeping in touch with friends. It's almost become a necessity for him. Ryan set his sights on providing 5 Chromebooks (at about $200 per chromebook), with a stretch goal of providing 10. Ryan got his Eagle project approved and began working to fundraise.
Ryan has a Chromebook and uses it for school and keeping in touch with friends. It's almost become a necessity for him. Ryan set his sights on providing 5 Chromebooks (at about $200 per chromebook), with a stretch goal of providing 10. Ryan got his Eagle project approved and began working to fundraise.
As he began fundraising, it quickly became apparent that he was going to blow past his stretch goal. In the end, Ryan raised enough money to buy THIRTY Chromebooks for the RMH. Ryan sold Kettle Corn at our Farmer's Market, in front of Sam's Club and to those in neighborhood. He also got some sizeable donations from friends, family, and even a few strangers.
After the purchase of the Chromebooks on Amazon, the price came down a little and we reached out to Amazon and our Credit Card to recoup some of different in price, while they didn't refund the whole difference, they both provided some money back on the purchases. The problem with recouping some of that cost, was that 100% of all the donated money needed to be spent before he could finalize and complete his Eagle.
Ryan in August at the Farmer's Market
After the purchase of the Chromebooks on Amazon, the price came down a little and we reached out to Amazon and our Credit Card to recoup some of different in price, while they didn't refund the whole difference, they both provided some money back on the purchases. The problem with recouping some of that cost, was that 100% of all the donated money needed to be spent before he could finalize and complete his Eagle.
With about $130 in Amazon credit and about $280 in cash, Ryan looked back to how we could help the Ronald McDonald House. While we were in Palo Alto last Nov, it was very nice to have meals provided. After one meal in particular, they played bingo afterwards and 'winners' won games and/or toys. Ryan decided to do something similar and buy games (Uno, Skipbo, Pass the Pigs, etc) as well as some books, like the Percy Jackson Series and donate them to RMH to use for the residents as they wanted to. Amazon credit spent. Next, spending the remaining cash. Ryan decided that it would be fun to also provide a meal. (he just didn't want that to be the ONLY thing he did).
We signed up to provide a meal on a Friday night, but that ended up conflicting with a debate tournament of Ryan's, so we called and moved it to a Monday night. Originally they asked us to prepare for 60 people, however about a week before our meal, RMH contacted us and said their room attendance was up and we should plan for 60-70 people for dinner.
Ryan decided that we would have serve a Pasta Bar with multiple Pastas and Sauces, green salad and end with Sydney's signature cupcakes for dessert. Pastas were: Spaghetti, BowTie, and shells. Sauces: Red sauce, Red sauce w/ hamburger, Alfredo, and Creamy Pesto. We went as a family to buy the ingredients at Macey's. It was fun to see Ryan and Sydney carefully spend the remaining money, trying to 1.) get the right amount of ingredients and 2.) get the best price to maximize the amount of food they could provide. Some things wouldn't fit in our refrigerator, so Deni had a few things she had to pick up the next day, but we were able to get the majority of the ingredients together.
Ryan invited some of his friends to come help us, however most weren't as committed to the idea when it came down to actually showing up and serving. We originally planned on taking about 15 people (including our family), however we ended up only taking 10. (Three of Ryan's friends, one of Sydney's and my parents.) 10 in total, so we fit into two cars.
We left right after school (about 3pm) and headed to Salt Lake City to prepare the meal.
Familia y Amigos Berger
Ryan did a great job supervising and making sure we all had things to do.
Sydney and her friend got to working making Syd's famous Chocolate and Vanilla cupcakes.
Frosting the cupcakes. Syd looks like she could be a contestant on Cupcake Wars.
When Ryan wasn't supervising, he helped the rest of us prepare the meal.
Dinner was to be served at 6pm. We had just under 2 hours to get the meal ready and we used every minute of it. We were busy, but it was fun experience. One I'd like to do again. Ryan's friends and Grandparents were a tremendous help. We could not have done it without them. (Thank you).
The friends that made dinner possible.
We immediately started cleaning up (about 7pm). Two hours later we finished cleaning up. A few pictures and then an hour drive home.
The friends that made dinner possible.
We immediately started cleaning up (about 7pm). Two hours later we finished cleaning up. A few pictures and then an hour drive home.
We pulled into town about 10:30pm. A late night for some of the kids on a school night, but it's an experience they will not forget.
