MERGE to expand its partnership with Ronald McDonald House charities

The multicultural employee resource group anticipates engagements in Dallas after providing support to the Indianapolis and Washington D.C. chapters

As part of its Partnerships and Allies initiative, Martin Marietta’s Multicultural Employee Resource Group (MERGE) continues to advance a relationship with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) that was first forged last winter.

Group leaders say they are motivated to continue investing in the partnership because of the positive impact Martin Marietta’s volunteer efforts and donations have had on the diverse families who require assistance from RMHC. Looking toward 2025, MERGE plans to expand its work with RMHC to include support for RMHC’s Dallas chapter.

With the two organizations celebrating a successful first year of their partnership, MERGE leaders reflected on the impact of Martin Marietta’s ONE team.

MERGE launched the relationship by hosting a holiday drive for the RMHC of Greater Washington, D.C. from December 2023 through January 2024. The effort collected necessary items children and families rely on during an extended hospitalization, including household essentials, non-perishable food, arts and crafts, toys, books, and bedding. Ultimately, Martin Marietta team members donated $1,500 and 250 items through the first MERGE initiative to provide 35 families and children with valuable assistance.

Following the success of its first community outreach with RMHC, MERGE quickly expanded the relationship to involve RMHC of Central Indiana. In May, the employee resource group contributed to the charity’s Meals That Heal Program. Martin Marietta volunteers from the Central Division prepared and served hot meals to families staying in RMHC housing near the Riley Hospital for Children and other area healthcare facilities. The effort lasted four days and included two breakfast and two lunch services.

“The families were happy to be served a hot breakfast instead of having to serve themselves cold cereal or breakfast bars,” said Rovi Ramnarain, credit manager in Martin Marietta’s Central Division and the MERGE co-leader who organized the partnership with the Central Indiana chapter. “Volunteers also enjoyed serving the families. It allowed us to connect with each other outside of the workplace.”

With the goal of providing Martin Marietta’s greater population the opportunity to contribute, MERGE hosted a companywide summer drive in August to benefit RMHC. Many ONE team members donated items from the charity’s Amazon Wish List, and the Central Division made a $1,500 donation. As a result, Martin Marietta was recognized as the RMHC’s September Bite Size Sponsor.

Ramnarain and other MERGE leaders said there will be plenty of opportunities to assist RMHC in the year ahead.