Wheaton mayor doing the grilling this time

Michael Gresk is no stranger to a kitchen.

The Wheaton mayor says he loves to cook and even dreamed of becoming a chef at one point.

"On the weekends, I am cooking all the time in the kitchen - and not just throwing a steak on the grill," Gresk said. "I enjoy complicated recipes."

So when Genghis Grill restaurant in downtown Wheaton needed a celebrity grill master for tonight's event benefiting the Midwest Shelter For Homeless Veterans, the owners recruited Gresk.

As part of the 6 to 9 p.m. event, Gresk will help man the grill at the build-your-own stir-fry restaurant at 106 N. Hale St.

A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated to the shelter, which opened in Wheaton in 2007 to help homeless veterans in DuPage County.

"We're very grateful to the restaurant and the mayor for their support of our program," said Bob Adams, MSHV board president and shelter co-founder.

Gresk said Saturday night's event was organized by Victoria Bromstead, Genghis Grill's general manager. He said it's a wonderful example of a Wheaton business helping a not-for-profit group.

"I am pleased and humbled that they asked for my help," Gresk said.

Adams said there isn't a set amount of money organizers are hoping to raise during the evening.

"We're just very thankful for whatever comes our way," he said.

The Midwest Shelter For Homeless Veterans, 119 N. West St., is a transitional living unit that provides counseling, educational and job-training services to U.S. veterans of any era to help them out of homelessness and back to useful, productive lives.

"Our goal is to get them to be financially independent by the time they leave us," Adams said.

Anyone interested in making a contribution, volunteering or learning more about the shelter can call (630) 871-8387 or visit helpaveteran.org.

For more information about the event, contact Genghis Grill at (630) 665-3600.