SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -Hundreds of runners hit the pavement on Easter weekend to support the Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire, a local nonprofit that helps families stay close when a child is receiving critical medical care.

The organization’s annual Red Shoe Run, routes participants from the house, through the hospital campus and back again.

“For our families, seeing this is just a reminder of how much this community cares,” said Billy Sorochak, CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Coastal Empire.

Sorochak said the event is on track to raise about $30,000 this weekend, funding that helps keep the house and its programs operating year-round.

He added that the need is constant, and the cost of keeping families together adds up quickly.

“It’s about $200 a night to house a critically ill child and their family,” Sorochak said.

Last year, Sorochak said the Ronald McDonald House Coastal Empire provided more than 4,254 family night stays.

Organizers said the run also helps connect people to the mission by bringing them directly onto the hospital campus and near the Ronald McDonald House.

“With the race being here, you get to see the mission. You can touch it. You can see it,” Sorochak said.

Sorochak thanked community partners and local supporters, emphasizing that donations raised through the Red Shoe Run remain local.

“The most important thing is everything stays here, not a penny leaves,” he said.

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