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Meet Steve

Steve Simon, a Southwest Airlines pilot has had a steady weekend date for the past 10 years with the families of the Ronald McDonald House of New York.  His volunteer team organizes pizza nights and outings to Central Park.

When Steve moved to New York in 1998, he was looking for a meaningful way to donate his time. He was intrigued that RMHC is Southwest Airline’s corporate charity. Steve filled out a volunteer application at the Ronald McDonald House, but he didn’t hear back for more than six months. Unbeknownst to Steve, New York Magazine had recently cited the Ronald McDonald House as one of the best places in New York to meet singles. The House was inundated with volunteer applications.

At the beginning, Steve admits, volunteering was just something to do. It quickly became much more. “It is an extraordinarily enriching experience,” Steve says.

He formed some of his closest, most enduring friendships with members of his volunteer team, staff, and families staying at the House. Just three months after Steve started volunteering, he was diagnosed with cancer. He had surgery, followed by radiation treatments. “Compared to what the kids at the House go through, what I had was like having a cold,” Steve says. “But I completely understand the feeling of being scared out of your mind.”

His friends at the Ronald McDonald House were an immense support. The kids with cancer were seasoned pros. They gave him advice about doctors, coping with treatments, and which medications wouldn’t make him sick.  “There was one amazing young lady,” Steve recalls. “She took me aside one day and said, ‘Steve, you can talk to me anytime.’ I was 42. She was 11. I was blown away. Kayleigh passed away, but I always carry her photo in my flight bag.”

“Compared to what the kids at the House go through, what I had was like having a cold,” Steve says. “But I completely understand the feeling of being scared out of your mind.”

 

 


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