A Recipe for Kindness
A retired orthodontist, Elias keeps smiles bright as a volunteer at The Children’s Inn
Elias had always enjoyed working with children. After retiring as an orthodontist in Chevy Chase, where his practice focused largely on young patients, he sought out volunteer work that would keep him busy and engaged. It was a former staff member at The Children’s Inn at NIH who first told him about the opportunity. Intrigued by the idea of giving back in a meaningful way, Elias decided to give volunteering a try.
For the past two-and-a-half years, Elias has been an invaluable member of The Children’s Inn team of volunteers. He works primarily at the front reception desk, greeting families and helping with day-to-day operations, and also is part of the Volunteer Advisory Committee. But his contributions extend far beyond administrative tasks. Elias is a beloved fixture at The Inn for his eagerness to get involved and interact directly with the families staying at The Inn whenever he is there.
Elias has channeled his own passions into ways to help others. He loves to bake with the kids, and through the Happily Hungry program, he teaches them the art of cooking and food preparation.
“When they are little kids, they’ve never had a knife because you don’t want your six-year-old to hold a sharp knife, right?” Elias chuckles as he recalls the first moments of teaching the children to chop vegetables. “In the beginning, it’s a little bit shaky. But once they learn, they do it well and enjoy it very much. It’s a great program. It’s truly amazing watching them learn.”
Elias and fellow volunteers at the Volunteer Appreciation luncheon
Elias acts much like a sous chef for the families participating in Happily Hungry, often focusing on baking or cooking skills, as well as making smoothies. The participants, ranging from as young as four to their parents and caregivers, gather to follow recipes and learn new culinary techniques. The program provides a fun, educational experience that helps them focus on something other than their challenging medical journeys.
Elias’s impact at The Children’s Inn is not limited to his role in the kitchen or at the front desk. He has developed deep connections with several of the families, many of whom he helps communicate with in one of the seven languages he speaks: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, and Hebrew.
“I’ve developed a nice relationship with several of the families,” Elias says. “[Language] is the main entrance with them. Sometimes families come here that are totally lost with the language, and so I try to help with that.”
Elias’s ability to connect with families, whether through language or simple compassion, makes him a trusted friend and shoulder to lean on. He knows that the families who come to The Children’s Inn are often facing challenging situations. As much as he can, he provides them with emotional support.
“You just have to be there for them,” Elias reflects. “That’s it. You cannot say too much because there is nothing to say. It can be very painful, everything that they’re going through. If they need anything, I try to provide whatever they need or guide them to somebody who can.”
Elias also contributes his time and energy to events away from The Children’s Inn, such as An Evening for Hope, the Golf INNvitational, and Rock and Roll for Children. Whenever he has the time, he’s eager to help out.
Elias’s passion for life extends beyond his volunteer work. He and his wife, Daniela, travel frequently, particularly to places like Mexico, Panama, and Argentina. His love for languages and new experiences has been a constant throughout his life.
“I enjoy languages and learning new places. I’ve been traveling all over the world since I was very young,” he shares.
Elias is also active in his community, serving on the board of his synagogue in Rockville and regularly socializing with friends. He credits Daniela with keeping him young at heart.
The dedication and joy that Elias finds in his volunteer work at The Children’s Inn are evident to everyone who meets him. But for him, he is simply grateful to be a part of such a special place.
“I keep saying all the time that the people at The Children’s Inn are just amazing,” he smiled. “Each one in their own way. They’re just incredible people. “I see that there is a lot of dedication among the staff. So I appreciate being here very much, and I enjoy it very much. This is a really special place.”
