Maria Alfaro-Krick has a big heart for children. An elementary school teacher by profession, she’s helped hundreds of children learn and grow. She’s also deeply appreciative of the joys and challenges faced by their families along the way.
Seeing the Need for Family Support
One Thanksgiving holiday when San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House was asking for food donations, Maria and her husband, Dale, brought donated boxes of food to the House. It was then that Maria observed the experience of families navigating a child’s critical illness. While the hospital was equipped to take care of a child’s medical needs, the couple saw that families need support, too – and that’s just what the San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House provides. They asked about the House’s wish list and began donating items to help families in their time of need. They also participated in the organization’s annual raffle fundraisers.
Continuing a Legacy of Generosity and Service
Maria and Dale had a loving marriage of over 30 years. When Dale passed away, Maria was committed to continuing his legacy of generosity and service to others as a way of honoring him. In 2019, she included RMHC-San Diego as a beneficiary of her estate. She has since become an annual donor to the organization and has given her time as well, volunteering at one time at Thanksgiving to serve meals to the families staying at the House.
Maria has a personal motivation to help keep families close to their critically ill or injured children. Years ago, her nephew was in a terrible car accident. The hospital was remote and there was nowhere for their family to stay. Maria recalls, “My sister and her husband drove to and from the hospital every day. It would have been such a relief for them to stay close and be with him.”
Maria is proud to serve as an ambassador of the Many Hearts Legacy Society, helping people understand the incredible impact they can make through an estate gift. “I’ve seen what a comfort the Ronald McDonald House is to families who need to be close to their child,” says this dedicated supporter. “I feel confident in RMHC-San Diego, and I know that my estate gift will help future families when they need it most.”
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