When it comes to giving back to the community, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen have willing young helpmates.

On November 12, the pair volunteered at their local Ronald McDonald House Charities (RHMC) in Los Angeles, where they served breakfast for the families who were living there while their children received vital medical care in the region. Legend, 44, tells People that he and Teigen, 37, were thrilled to make the event a family affair.

“We spent a wonderful Sunday afternoon with families,” Legend says of his collaboration with the nonprofit that gives help and accommodation to families with ill children. “These families come from all over, and their children are treated at Children’s Hospital, which is extremely difficult for families to deal with.” We were delighted to come and cook for them and spend some time with them.”

Legend and Teigen took their two eldest children, Luna Simone, 7, Miles Theodore, 5, Esti Maxine, 9 months, and Wren Alexander, 4 months, along for the planned fun.

“This was our children’s first visit to the Ronald McDonald House.” “We made Chrissy’s recipe for mochi pancakes,” he adds of his cookbook author wife. “And a lot of the kids there—some were patients, some were siblings of patients—but our kids quickly bonded with all of them.” They were having a nice time playing basketball with them. I had fun watching them.”

Legend has it that enjoyment contains an essential lesson. “We try to teach them that it’s important to give back and to help other people,” he said. “They’ve accompanied us to help feed the hungry, and they’ve accompanied us to homeless shelters.” We try to educate them to be grateful for what they have and to recognize that there are many others who do not have the same opportunities that they do, so we should do everything we can to help them.”

Legend adds that supporting RHMC families is a cause that is near his heart.

“The families are going through so much, and having health problems with your baby is something no one wants,” says Legend of RMHC, which provides care and resources to families with children who are ill, injured, or hospitalized through 260-plus chapters in 62 countries and regions.

“We know that from losing a pregnancy to just having friends of ours who have kids with health problems, it is just such a difficult experience, and any help that you can get or any support is so valuable.”