Ronald McDonald House Hosts Annual Footsteps for Families Walk at Walkway Over the Hudson

Poughkeepsie, NY – April 10, 2026 – Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley (RMHGHV) has announced that their annual event Footsteps for Families: Walk Over the Hudson is officially open for registration. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, April 26th.

The walk will kick off at 12 pm on the Poughkeepsie side of the bridge in Dutchess County. Participants are encouraged to join the walk and raise funds to help RMHGHV continue supporting families during their child’s critical medical care. Each participant who raises $15 will receive a t-shirt. There will be family fun activities, face painting, live music, raffles, and more for all attendees to enjoy.

The historic Walkway is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge and is surrounded on both the Poughkeepsie and Highland sides by restaurants, shops, trails and welcomes strollers and leashed dogs.

The Grand Marshal for the event this year is Chase Richardson who will kick off the walk with his family. Chase spent his first year of life at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, along with many additional stays throughout the years. During this time, Chase underwent multiple brain surgeries and faced several life-altering illnesses. “Through the most difficult moments, the Ronald McDonald House has been our comfort, giving us peace of mind knowing we could always stay close to him when he needed us most. In our darkest days, the House brought light by providing a warm, welcoming place to rest, eat, and gather strength, just steps away from the hospital. It has truly been our home away from home on more than one occasion.” said Mom, Jaime Richardson.

RMHGHV is hosting this event and encouraging participants to raise funds to help them reach their goal of raising $70,000 which will be used to support families who are coping through their child’s medical crisis. When families must travel far from home to access the medical care their child needs, RMHGHV provides hope, help and a home-away-from-home. Keeping families together and easing some of the emotional and financial burdens they experience when faced with a child’s medical crisis.
The Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event is Trefz Family Restaurants and the Platinum Sponsor is McDonald’s Opstad Consolidated.

“Walking with us at Footsteps for Families is a great way to highlight and celebrate the life changing services we offer to families as they face one of the most daunting challenges of their lives, having a seriously ill child. On that day, we celebrate the resilience and strength of all families and welcome spring at one of the most iconic destinations in New York” said Phil Salerno, Interim Executive Director .

To register a team for Footsteps for Families visit https://bit.ly/Footsteps2026 For more information about Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley visit www.rmh-ghv.org

RMHGHV Footsteps for Families