Montini Catholic students are honored to have an opportunity to prepare a home-cooked meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage House (CDH) in Winfield.  Since 1977, Ronald McDonald Charities have kept families together with their hospitalized children through their Ronald McDonald House® and Ronald McDonald Family Room® programs, enabling them to "get better together." All year long, the charity invites families, friends and groups to "get creative in the kitchen" to feed families of hospitalized children through their program called Meals from the Heart. Since families staying at a Ronald McDonald House are often far from the comforts of home, Bronco volunteers, under the guidance of Campus Minister, Michael Blanchette, have been happy to provide meals for them, allowing families to eat together without the stress of cooking or the expense of dining out. Blanchette and his team are scheduled to travel to Winfield one evening every month during the school year.

Tuesday, September 10th marked the first trip for the 'Montini Meal Crew' this school year. Principal Chris Tiritilli and Campus Minister Michael Blanchette accompanied six students to Winfield and prepared a delicious 'comfort food themed' meal of Sloppy Joes, roasted potato wedges, pasta salad and brownies for dessert. "Each month we ask four to six students to sign up," explained Montini's Campus Minister, Mike Blanchette. "We are in charge of planning the meal and figuring out a game-plan for all participants to be involved. Our students and staff member leaders provide the ingredients to cook the meal on-site at the Ronald McDonald House kitchen."

"It's really fun to put the meals together and the kids really seem to enjoy learning and cooking together," adds Blanchette. "Sometimes we have a full house eating as soon as our meal is ready, and other times we're asked to pack the meal for families to grab as they arrive back at the house." Principal Tiritilli agrees. "It was such a rewarding experience to see our students working collaboratively in the kitchen to help prepare a meal for families who are experiencing great stress and worry. Our Broncos represented our school and community well and served others as the hands of Christ. I have no doubt that the Lasallian spirit is alive and well with this talented group of students!"

"Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House is more than just giving time," said Mr. Blanchette. "It's offering comfort, hope, and a sense of home to families facing their hardest days. It is helping them have a little less stress at the end of the day." Our students do an awesome job preparing meals. They get to know one another a little better and they understand the importance of the volunteer work we are doing."

Image above:  (l to r: Franklin Barnes '27, Chloe Rothermel '27, Gianna Bocconcelli '26, Principal Chris Tiritilli, Gabriella Oliverio '26, Ethan Clapsaddle '26, Campus Minister Michael Blanchette and Madalyn Aguilar '26 at the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield;