Wow, what an awesome accomplishment! Local students have truly outdone themselves this year. The 2026 READ for Ronald McDonald House campaign has raised nearly $236,000 – a fantastic amount of money raised by nearly 2,000 students from 58 schools across the Capital Region.
READ combines reading practice with philanthropy, allowing students to earn donations by volunteering their reading time. The funds raised help provide crucial, no-cost lodging, meals, and care for families with seriously ill children staying at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
This massive success wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and generous community partners like Stewart’s Shops and the Tri-City ValleyCats. Since 2014, the READ program has helped thousands of students make a difference while supporting families facing difficult times.