On Nov. 17, National Honor Society (NHS)  members will have the opportunity to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, providing a home-cooked meal to families who would otherwise be eating hospital food every night.

Getting to cook and serve a meal to these families will be an unforgettable and very touching experience. However, many do not know that senior Kristen Steege is responsible for all of NHS being involved with this charity.

The Ronald McDonald House, as they say on their  website, “provides a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost.”

Families who have traveled far away from their homes to get medical treatment for their seriously ill or injured children can come to the Ronald McDonald House to receive the basic comforts of home like dinner, bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, a laundry room, TV and play rooms, and transportation. 

Steege first began working with this charity when her dad’s work volunteered there. She decided to tag along to see what it was all about.

“I had a ton of fun and got to hear peoples’ stories and it really made me feel like I was making an impact,” she said.

Steege decided to bring this charity to the attention of NHS, and got the members involved in helping with the families’ dinners. Sometimes, they will get to meet the kids that are in the hospital at the time and get to hear their stories.

For Steege, meeting the kids is the most rewarding part of volunteering.

“Seeing their faces light up over a simple meal just makes everything we have done worth it,” Steege said.

As meaningful as these visits are to anyone who volunteers, they have a more personal meaning to Steege.

“When my cousin was six, she was diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “I spent every single day after school at Children’s Hospital with her and even the weekends. So I completely understand how uncomfortable the couches are to sleep on, and how amazing it is to have a home cooked meal.”

Steege continued, “I wanted to bring it to NHS because I wanted others to experience how such a simple gesture can impact a person’s life so much and make their day a little brighter.”