As part of their commitment to both employee engagement and giving back to the community, a group of volunteers from the Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration (EVPFA) recently spent time at the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of New Mexico at the Yale location on UNM’s North Campus, offering a helping hand to families with loved ones seeking treatment at The University of New Mexico Hospital.

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Vice President for Institutional Support Services Shawna Wolfe prepares ingredients.

Home-cooked meals are one of the many ways patients and their families are supported and cared for at Ronald McDonald Houses. The team, who were that night’s "Guest Chefs," included Teresa Costantinidis, Duane Arruti, Sidney Mason-Coon, Carla Prando Domenici, Jeremy Hamlin, Casey Hall, Cenissa Martinez, Byron Piatt, Joe Silva, Kevin Stevenson and Shawna Wolfe. They planned the menu, shopped for ingredients, and prepared a delicious meal for more than 70 people – both patients and their families. The team's efforts extended beyond cooking; they also brought snacks to replenish the house's supplies.

Micheala Wood, volunteer & program coordinator for RMHC New Mexico, highlighted the importance of initiatives such as the Guest Chef program. "It's a very large help to Ronald McDonald House,” she said, “specifically because it alleviates our budget for one night and allows staff to spend more time with patients. And an expansive menu like this group has prepared, that's not something that we'd regularly be able to provide for families."

The menu featured a flavorful spread of chicken kabobs, rice, fresh salad, rolls, and a sweet finish with strawberry shortcake—an offering designed to nourish both body and spirit. Wood also noted that the Guest Chef program is popular among patients and their families, saying that they “eagerly anticipate these special meals, looking out for the little guest chef hat symbol on the menus.”

"By working together outside of our usual office environment, we're not only strengthening our bonds as colleagues but also tapping into our shared desire to make a positive impact,” said Teresa Costantinidis, executive vice president for Finance and Administration, who was thrilled by the effort. “It's heartening to see our team come together, roll up their sleeves, and directly support families going through challenging times. These experiences foster a sense of purpose and connection that we can carry back into our daily work, ultimately enhancing our effectiveness as a division and our service to the university community.”

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Chief Information Officer Duane Arruti prepares a kabob with chicken and vegetables.

The EVPFA team's volunteering efforts are indeed a great example of how employees can make a meaningful impact on their community while working together as a team. By participating in such activities, employees not only give back to the community but also strengthen interdepartmental relationships.

Sidney Mason-Coon, University Policy Officer, reflected on the experience, saying, "Being able to get together with the people we work with on a daily basis in a different way allows us to get to know each other better and strengthens our individual relationships. Coming together to support our own community was the icing on the cake." This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve employee engagement within the EVPFA.

The Yale Ronald McDonald House is the first House built in New Mexico, providing overnight stays to 31 families each night as they seek lifesaving treatments at local area hospitals. The House guest rooms provide safe and comfortable spaces for families to rest and recharge together following long days at the hospital. More than a roof over their heads, these accommodations relieve families of the stresses of finding a place to stay while far from home and allow parents to be stronger partners in their children’s critical care.

For those interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at RMHC of New Mexico, contact them at (505) 842-8960 or via email at volunteer@rmhc-nm.org.