Every year my bike team, Big Tree Cycling, works hard to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Missouri. The Red Shoe Ride is a major part of that effort, with a portion of the proceeds from the ride fees going toward that worthy cause. Riders can also choose to raise additional funds that go directly to the organization, ensuring more money goes to help out families. When a child needs urgent medical care, the last thing a family should have to think about is the logistics of finding a place to stay while getting the care they need for their little one.
I have always understood the importance of this on a abstract level but now have a stronger understanding having seen the incredible importance of the Ronald McDonald House in the lives of some of my friends, who, through the help of this organization, were able to receive sustained medical treatment for their child even though the hospital was hundreds of miles from their home.
Please consider donating a few dollars to help families in need of medical care for their children. Even a little bit will go a long way.