Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
Sign up now for the Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K or 1-mile fun run—April 13
Reading time: 4 minutes
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When Baylee Adams’ twins were at Children’s of Alabama after being born at 24 weeks, her family was able to stay just across the street at the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham.
A few weeks into their stay, the Adams received news no family wants to hear, but Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama (RMHCA) helped them through it, little by little.
Keep reading for this family’s story and how you can help others like them stay close together when you sign up for the Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K today.
Know before you go—Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K
The Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K is an annual celebration of family, fundraising + awareness for RMHCA.
Presented by McDonald’s, Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K raises approximately $80,000 from sponsors, runners, friends and family to keep the services of the Ronald McDonald House free to families in need.
This family-friendly event is accessible to those with mobility devices, strollers and all fitness abilities. It’s fun for your four-legged friends, too.
- When: Saturday, April 13, 8AM
- Where: The 5K and 1-mile fun run start + end at The Ronald McDonald House
- Get involved:
Ready to rock? You can choose between a 5K and a 1-mile fun run. Pick the “Snoozer” option if you want to sleep in but still help families with sick children stay together.
Psst—dress up for extra fun! The top runners, biggest team and best fundraisers will get awards.
Meet the Adams family
Baylee Adams was pregnant with twins Amos and Anderson when she and her husband Trey traveled to Birmingham from their home in Rogersville for a check-up.
But to their surprise, the doctor told Baylee that she would be having the babies that day.
After Amos and Anderson were born, a social worker introduced them to RMHCA and it became their home for the next four months.
“We could see our sons’ room at the hospital looking out from our room at the House. That was awesome to feel like we were closer to them.”
Baylee Adams
Three weeks into their stay, Amos was not doing very well. One morning, the Adams got a call saying they needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
“We had been at the hospital for about 10 minutes and he passed away.
Had we not been staying at the Ronald McDonald House, we would have never been there in time and would have missed being there in his last few minutes.”
Baylee Adams
The Adams participate in the Red Shoe Run for Amos + Anderson
Due to their son Anderson’s open heart surgery and other medical reasons, the Adams found themselves back at the Ronald McDonald House a few times throughout the year. Now, they do whatever they can to show their support for RMHCA and their sons.
The Adams family traveled from Rogersville to show their support at last year’s Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K. In fact, their family team raised over $5K last year and Baylee’s mother-in-law, Anna O’Dell, earned the Rock Star Fundraiser award.
Baylee let me know that they are planning to make another trip down for the 2024 Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K!
The Red Shoe Run keeps families together
The Adams family is not the only one impacted by health concerns. Luckily, the staff and volunteers with RMHCA provide the care and resources needed to help families through difficult times.
“The Red Shoe Run is a fun way for the community to gather, show support for the Ronald McDonald House and help raise the money so that families can stay close together.
There’s no way that Ronald McDonald House could do it if people weren’t willing to get involved, volunteer, donate and just show their support.”
Baylee Adams
Although the four months at the Ronald McDonald House were a scary time for her family, Baylee expressed that RMHCA was the light at the end of the tunnel.
“The Ronald McDonald House goes above and beyond to be there for families during hard times. It’s a community that you can’t beat. During the worst times in your life, they are a ray of sunshine.”
Baylee Adams
Register to run or volunteer, and I’ll see you at the Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K on Saturday, April 13.
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