PHOTO PROVIDED Members of the USS Barb Base presenting a check to Ronald McDonald House Charities SWFL Executive Director Laura Ragain.

Members of the USS Barb Base recently presented Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwest Florida with a donation of $11,200. The group gathered outside the newly expanded Ronald McDonald House for the “big check” presentation on Feb. 10.   

“I had the privilege of making a presentation to this esteemed group during one of their regular meetings, pre-COVID,” said Laura Ragain, executive director of RMHC. “Their generous donation will enable us to further our mission of providing much needed services to our families during these challenging times.” 

“As with all organizations, our activities have been curtailed this past year due to the COVID pandemic,” said Ralph Trallo, secretary/treasurer of Barb Base. “Since we have not been able to visit our hospitalized kids this year, our membership agreed that the next best thing was to support a charity that also is closely aligned with our Program.  It is with great pleasure that we are contributing to the Ronald McDonald Charities Southwest Florida.” 

The United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. is an organization dedicated to making it known that those lost on submarines, in the line of duty for their country, will never be forgotten. Locally, the USS Barb Base is the Chapter of Southwest Florida Submariners in Lee County affiliated with the national organization.  

USS Barb Base was founded in 1997, and currently has 33 active members dedicated to community outreach, especially when it comes to children with chronic illnesses. Barb Base membership is open to all “qualified” submariners. For more information contact us at barbbase2@ gmail.com. 

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwest Florida is to create, find and support programs that directly impact the health and well-being of children and their families from Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties. For more information, visit www.rmhcswfl.org.