Our Impact
Every mile ridden and every dollar donated has a purpose
To ease the burden on families with sick children. We celebrate what One Dad’s Mission has achieved so far and, more importantly, the lives it has touched. From hard numbers to personal narratives, see the difference we’re making together.
Our impact can be measured in part by figures – each telling a piece of the story of generosity and determination behind One Dad’s Mission.
4,146 miles
Distance Jeff biked in 2024 for the first cross-country mission (with thousands more miles to come on future rides!).
$1,255,000+ raised
Funds generated so far for local Ronald McDonald House, all directed to help families in need. This number continues to grow with every donation and sponsorship.
26 Houses visited
Ronald McDonald House programs personally visited during the inaugural ride. Each stop forging new connections and spread awareness in that local community. (By 2026+, the goal is to have every RMH House in the country visited.)
55 chapters supported
Local RMH chapters that received donations from One Dad’s Mission in 2024. Even Houses that Jeff couldn’t visit in person benefitted, extending our mission’s reach to more families.
174 media features
Earned media stories across TV, radio, print, and online covering the 2024 journey. That’s an average of more than one news story per day during the ride, amplifying RMH’s message nationwide.
642 million audience
The estimated total reach of our media coverage in 2024. From local news broadcasts to national press, people across the country heard about One Dad’s Mission and the importance of keeping families close.
1 mission, 50 states – infinite impact
One Dad’s Mission is showing that a single effort can touch countless lives. The awareness raised has led to new volunteers signing up at local Houses, with new donors contributing, and new families discovering the support of Ronald McDonald House’s when they need it the most. And we’re just getting started!
Family Stories
At the heart of One Dad’s Mission are the families – those who are fighting battles no parent or child ever wants to face. Our journey is inspired by them and dedicated to them. Here, we share some of the stories that keep us moving forward.
Hailey’s Story – The Inspiration
Hailey Bekos is the reason One Dad’s Mission exists. Once a critically ill teen who lost her ability to speak and endured a long coma, Hailey beat incredible odds. Her family found “hope, faith, and strength” through the RMH community during 254 days in the Philadelphia House. Today, Hailey is a healthy young woman who inspires others with her resilience. Her story reminds us why Ronald McDonald Houses are so important, they allowed her parents to stay by her side, and that support was instrumental in her recovery. Hailey’s journey from hospital bed to college student (and avid volunteer) is a testament to the power of hope.
Families We Met on the Road
For Jeff and Liz, one of the most rewarding parts of the ride was meeting other RMH families in person. In Columbia, Missouri, Jeff sat down with moms and dads staying at the local House and listened to their experiences. In Chicago, he met a child who proudly showed off a craft she made in the House’s playroom. In Denver, they heard a family share how the House helped them afford months of cancer treatment for their son. Every family’s story is unique, but all share a common thread: gratitude for having a “home away from home” when illness struck. Through One Dad’s Mission, we’re spotlighting some of these incredible families on our site and social media. You’ll meet parents like the Johnsons, who found a supportive community at RMH while their newborn was in the NICU, and teenagers like Alex, who bonded with other sick kids and found friendship under the RMH roof. These stories put real faces to the cause and remind us that behind every statistic are real people, with real challenges, finding comfort and hope thanks to the Ronald McDonald Houses.
