Congressional Candidate Raises $2,200 for Sick Kids

Rachel Wallace traded campaign speeches for serving hot dogs at the Little League World Series, and families with sick children are better off because of it.

The Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District joined campaign volunteers and local supporters at a concession stand during the tournament in Williamsport. Every dollar from sales went directly to Ronald McDonald House in Danville, a nonprofit that provides free or low-cost housing for families staying near their hospitalized children. The day raised $2,200.

Wallace said Ronald McDonald House invited her campaign to help staff the stand. She saw it as a chance to meet voters at an event that showcases the district, but the cause mattered more. "It's so that more families with sick children that can't afford hospital stays can have a safe and less costly place for their children to heal and get well," Wallace said.

The Ronald McDonald House provides comfortable temporary housing near major children's hospitals. Families get shared kitchens, stocked pantries, volunteer-cooked meals, laundry facilities, and quiet spaces to rest without worrying about costs during their child's treatment.

The first house opened in Philadelphia in 1974 after Eagles player Fred Hill and his wife watched parents sleeping in hospital chairs while their own daughter received leukemia treatment. They partnered with pediatric oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans and local McDonald's operators, using Shamrock Shake sales to fund the first home.

The Ripple Effect

For Wallace, the experience at the Little League World Series went beyond politics. She visited local small business owners who told her the tournament provides an economic boost while showcasing Williamsport to visitors from around the world.

"We love how the rest of the world gets to come and see what a great city Williamsport is," Wallace said. The weather was gorgeous, the hospitality genuine, and families gathered to watch kids play baseball while supporting other families facing their toughest days.

Wallace called her sister during the trip, who was watching the games from outside Philadelphia. "To actually be here and see where it's happening is really cool," she said.

Every concession stand sale that day meant another night a parent could sleep in a real bed near their child's hospital room instead of a chair.