Members of the community gathered at Stony Brook University on October 4 for the annual “Anthony’s Red Shoe Fund Run.” The event aimed to raise funds for a new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. The new facility, with a projected cost of $34 million, will be the first Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County and only the second on Long Island. It is expected to open in 2027.
The event was organized by Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro and included a 5K race and a 1-mile fun run/walk. It was held in partnership with several university groups, including the School of Health Professions, Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Student Affairs, Auxiliary Services Association, CulinArt, and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
The planned Ronald McDonald House will be a 60,000 square foot facility located near Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. It will offer no-cost housing, meals, and other services to families of hospitalized children. Features of the new house include 30 private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a media center, outdoor playground, interactive playrooms, community kitchens, a fitness center, meditation room, and laundry facilities. Staff and volunteers will provide meals and maintain fully stocked pantries for families during their stay.
The first 200 runners who registered received a free T-shirt. After the race, participants attended a patio party with music and food trucks. Prizes were given to top finishers in each age group and team category.