Ronald McDonald House Launches Footsteps for Families Walk

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, May 14th. The walk will kick off at 12 pm on the Highland side of the bridge in Ulster County. Participants are encouraged to join the walk this Mother’s Day in honor of a special mother in their life and raise funds to help RMHGHV continue supporting families during their child’s critical medical care. Each Mother who attends the event will receive a special gift and flower, compliments of Hannaford Supermarkets. There will be family fun activities, live music, 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 Emily Lawrence from New Paltz, who with her family has been involved with the House for many years and last year supported Footsteps for Families by getting engaged in fundraising with extended family and friends. When Emily, who turned 18 last summer, was treated at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in 2018, and again in 2022 her parents and brother stayed at the House.“I feel so lucky to be involved with Ronald McDonald house which has been an amazing resource for my family. My parents and brother have been guests at the House whenever I’ve been in the hospital, and that way I could always have them with me,” said Emily. “Everybody at the House is always so compassionate, and I don’t know what we would do without them.”

According to Emily’s mom Susan, they are beyond grateful and excited to be a special part of this year’s event together as a family. “The House is a gorgeous setting and the people who work and volunteer there are incredibly warm and kind. In addition to the delicious meals served, the room we had was very comfortable, and it was a great place to rest and take a break from the hospital. It also allowed our family to be near Emily throughout her time in the hospital, and to provide emotional support to her much more easily,” said Susan.

Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley is hosting this event and encouraging participants to raise funds to help them reach their goal of raising $50,000 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.

“This Mother’s Day we are hopeful our community will join us in celebrating mother’s everywhere by participating in this annual event and help us raise funds to continue supporting families when they need it most,” said Christina Riley, Executive Director of RMHGHV. “Mothers help us to heal and that is why our House keeps them close to their child. We witness the power of a mother’s love day after day.”

To register a team or sponsor Footsteps for Families visit bitly/FOOTSTEPS23. For more information about Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, please visit: www.rmh-ghv.org.