Retired Teachers Volunteer Weekly at Atlanta Ronald McDonald

Ellen Blake and Judy Landers spent their careers teaching children, and now they're caring for families facing every parent's worst nightmare.

The retired teacher best friends volunteer together at least once a week at Ronald McDonald House Atlanta, stocking pantries, managing laundry supplies, and making sure families have everything they need while their children receive medical treatment. Landers started volunteering with Ronald McDonald House back in the 1980s in Cincinnati, bringing nearly four decades of service to the mission.

"If we weren't doing this job together, because it's a lot and we love it, I don't think either one of us could do it by ourselves," Landers told CBS News Atlanta.

The work became more critical in December 2025 when Ronald McDonald House Atlanta moved next to Arthur M. Blank Hospital and expanded to 110 rooms. The new facility features indoor and outdoor playgrounds and expanded spaces for families to eat and rest, but the bigger building means they need more helping hands.

"Families need a place to stay that's close to the hospital, and sometimes they can't afford a hotel or they want a space where they feel safe," said Sarah Parrish, senior marketing manager for the organization. The house provides free rooms, meals, and laundry supplies so parents can focus entirely on their sick child.

The Ripple Effect

Blake and Landers represent what the organization calls "the heart" of their work. Volunteers keep pantries stocked, prepare home-cooked meals for exhausted families, and sometimes simply offer a warm smile on the hardest days. That familiar face can mean everything when a parent is struggling through their child's treatment.

The impact extends beyond the immediate help. When families don't have to worry about where they'll sleep or what they'll eat, they can be fully present for their children during critical medical care.

Anyone 18 or older can volunteer independently for shifts, and people as young as 11 can participate as part of a group. Churches, workplaces, and families are all welcome to serve together, turning compassion into action the way Blake and Landers have for years.