What is your connection to the House, and what led you to begin volunteering here?
We started volunteering at the House nine years ago while looking for a meaningful way to give back as a team. From our first visit, we fell in love with the mission and the opportunity to make a direct impact on guests’ lives.
Since then, we’ve prepared 127 meals at the House – about 15 to 18 each year – and we’ve only cooked pasta twice! I tell our volunteers that the greatest reward is knowing that after a long day at the hospital, guests can come back to the House and enjoy a warm meal without having to worry about cooking.
Which meal do you recall most fondly, and why?
The meal that jumps out to me is our annual holiday feast. It’s our biggest meal of the year, with the whole team coming together to prepare turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade desserts, and my famous carrot cake. I usually deep-fry three turkeys, and we’re already looking forward to this year’s feast on December 23.
My wife and I arrive early to get everything started, and before long, the smell of turkey fills the House. The guests’ excitement and tremendous feedback make it such a special tradition – and without a doubt, our favorite meal to prepare and serve.
“My favorite recipe is the carrot cake. The guests like it, the staff really love it, and it’s probably one of my favorite recipes to bake.”
What kinds of conversations have you had with the guests you’ve served that have stuck out to you?
What sticks with me most is hearing what brought them to the House. We know everyone is here for a reason that has impacted their life. Once everyone has been served, I encourage our volunteers to grab a plate, sit down with the guests, and hear their stories. We hear from guests who have spent hours at the hospital wondering what they’re going to have for dinner, only to come back to the House and find a group preparing a meal for them. That really drives home the importance of what we do.
What is the most meaningful part of volunteering at the House for you?
For me, it’s providing a small sense of peace and taking away one less thing for families to worry about. We put a lot of thought into everything we cook, and I love having the chance to experiment with different recipes. The first time I made salsa from scratch, it was at the House. My grandson was cooking with us that night, so he had to give the final approval before it was ready to serve the guests.
But the most special part is getting a thank-you card a few days later, signed by the guests who enjoyed our meal. I have all 127 of those cards, and every one of them brings it all home. It’s hard to put into words, but it really is a labor of love for us.