Rhonda's Relief Nursery Eugene Marathon Fundraiser

My name is Rhonda and I’m so excited to join the Relief Nursery’s Run for a Reason Team at the 2026 Eugene Marathon! So why am I running on behalf of the Relief Nursery? Simply put, I firmly believe in the work they are doing to support the most vulnerable members of our community. Reflecting back on my childhood, I wish a place like the Relief Nursery was available to my parents. A place where they could have consistent, loving, uplifting childcare for their three girls. A place where they could receive guidance on positive parenting strategies and a respite when things got too tough. And a place where their addiction and mental health struggles could be addressed from a place of unifying our family for the safety of all of us. Now as a mother, I know wholeheartedly that the way in which we set children up to thrive from the very beginning is by making sure their parents are well supported, healthy, and guided into being the excellent caregivers, nurturers, and role models we all want to be for our kids. And as a prevention scientist, the research and findings on the benefits of strength-based approaches like the one the Relief Nursery uses is clear: They are disrupting the cycle of abuse by supporting families early. Prevention, through child and family centered approaches, is how we ensure that families stay unified and that children grow up in communities dedicated to their flourishing. Thank you so much for contributing to the Relief Nursery’s work through your generous donations. Every dollar raised goes directly into programming and supports for Relief Nursery families.