Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for the 2026 Ronald McDonald House Maryland Red Shoe Shuffle 5K Run & Walk!
Ronald McDonald House Maryland is an independent non-profit organization, which means the community and supporters provide 100% of the annual operating budget.
Joseph required an eight-week program. The program ran six hours a day, with up to five appointments daily. When we learned how intensive it was, our first concern was travel. While we live within a commutable distance, we would have been adding nearly four hours of travel each day—turning our days into ten-hour marathons before we even factored in basic daily life, like time to play, rest, eat meals together, and simply be a family.
Those extra hours would have meant rushing through mornings, missing opportunities for play and connection, and ending each day completely exhausted. There would have been little room for the routines that help a child feel safe and supported—quiet moments, laughter, bedtime rituals, and the small but meaningful parts of childhood that matter just as much as medical care.
Our social worker told us about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maryland and submitted a referral. Just three days before our intake appointment, we received the call from RMHC. They said, “We have a room for you! We can’t wait to meet you!” That call changed everything.
From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed and included. They didn’t just provide a place to stay—they created a sense of home. They took the time to learn our names, asked about Joseph, and checked in on us in ways that felt thoughtful and personal. Their warmth, hospitality, and inclusiveness made it clear that we weren’t just guests, but part of a caring community.
Because of RMHC, we were able to focus entirely on Joseph and his care while still preserving the moments of normalcy every child and family needs. They gave us more than a room—they gave us stability, comfort, and the ability to be fully present for our child during a critical time in his life.
Today, we are walking to help give another family that same experience. We walk so that no family has to choose between accessing critical care and preserving the moments that make family life feel whole. We walk to help ensure that parents can rest, children can play, siblings can feel included, and families can stay close during their most challenging days. Our steps are taken in gratitude for what we were given and in hope for the families still to come.
Will we see you at the starting line!? ❤️🤍
Thank you for visiting our fundraiser!
-Mallory , Joey and Joseph🦸🏼
