Serving Smiles: Cooking for Families at Ronald McDonald House
What does leadership look like when it matters most?
Not in theory. Not on a résumé. But in the moments where showing up for others creates real impact.
Join the CSUF Leadership Scholars Program at the Giles-O'Malley Center for Leadership for Serving Smiles: Cooking for Families at Ronald McDonald House Orange County.
Ronald McDonald House Orange County provides a "home away from home" for families with children receiving medical treatment, offering comfort, care, and stability during some of the most challenging times in their lives. For decades, the organization has supported thousands of families across Southern California, ensuring they can stay close to their children while focusing on what matters most.
On May 1, you will step into a hands-on service experience where you will prepare and serve meals for these families. No prior cooking experience is required—you will be guided every step of the way while working alongside fellow Leadership Scholars in a collaborative, high-impact environment.
This is leadership in action. It is an opportunity to move beyond the classroom and into a setting where empathy, teamwork, and responsibility take on real meaning.
In just a few hours, you will:
Prepare and serve meals for families in need
Work alongside other driven Leadership Scholars
Build real-world teamwork and leadership skills
Create a moment of relief, comfort, and care
You will also have the opportunity to connect with other driven students who are committed to making an impact, building relationships within a community that values purpose, growth, and leadership.
Event Details
📅 Date: May 1, 2026
🕒 Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Ronald McDonald House Orange County
383 S. Batavia Street, Orange, CA
Carpooling will be available for students.
Spots are limited. Step into leadership where it counts and be part of something meaningful.
Learn more about the hosts:
Ronald McDonald House Orange County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comfort, care, and support to families with children receiving medical treatment across Southern California. Founded in 1989, the organization operates a “home away from home” just steps from Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), allowing families to stay close to their children during critical moments of care. As part of the global Ronald McDonald House Charities network, which spans more than 60 countries, the Orange County House serves thousands of families each year by offering housing, meals, and supportive services at little to no cost. Through its programs, including on-site Family Rooms within hospitals, the organization helps ease the emotional and financial burden on families, ensuring they can focus on what matters most: their child's health and healing.
The Leadership Scholars Program is the Center's flagship student leadership and professional development program. Open to students of all majors, the program provides structured opportunities to connect with senior executives, develop practical leadership and career-ready skills, and serve the broader community. Scholars participate in executive speaker events, mentorship and shadowing experiences, leadership development workshops, site visits, and service initiatives, while student leaders on the Scholars Board help design and deliver programming. Through sustained engagement, participants can earn scholarships and graduate with the Leadership Scholar — Distinction, recognizing their commitment to leadership growth, service, and impact.
The Giles-O'Malley Center for Leadership is a leadership hub within California State University, Fullerton's College of Business and Economics, dedicated to developing principled, effective leaders who create impact across organizations and communities. The Center brings together students, faculty, executives, alumni, and community partners to connect leadership theory with real-world practice through research-informed education, experiential learning, and industry collaboration. Through its student programs, executive education initiatives, community partnerships, and media platforms, the Center serves as a leadership voice for Orange County and is building toward a long-term vision of becoming a regional and national destination for leadership development.