$20,250 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio in memory of Hudson.
In August, we made another trip to Columbus. We’ve made that drive more times than we could ever count over the years. Trips to Nationwide Children's, trips to Ronald McDonald House, trips filled with worry and hope and exhaustion, and more tears than any of us could possibly measure.
This trip had tears, too. But these were different tears. Happy tears. Humbled tears. Really, really proud tears. Because this time, we were there to officially present Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio with $20,250 from the 2026 Hudson’s Duck Drop.
We, of course, came with a normal-sized check, but RMHC pulled out the BIG check for us and Jaxon got the job of filling in the amount. At 15 years old, it was the first check he had ever written.
Watching him carefully write $20,250 on that giant check, in a place that has been part of so many emotional chapters for our family, was one of those moments that gets you. Of all the checks for your first one to be, this was a pretty special one.
Hudson should be here growing up alongside him. There are so many moments, milestones and memories that should look different. We can’t change that.
But we can make sure Hudson continues to be part of them.
And somehow, this little boy who was here for such a short time has brought together thousands of people — from our hometown of Shelby to friends and complete strangers across the country and around the world.
You learned Hudson’s story.
You adopted ducks in his name.
You donated, sponsored, volunteered, bought shirts, shared posts, sent packages, recruited friends and family and showed up year after year.
And Shelby — our little hometown — has wrapped its arms around this family and this event in a way we could never adequately thank you for.
What began as a small gathering to commemorate Hudson’s birthday has become this incredible community of people determined to turn love and loss into something good.
This year, that “something good” was $20,250 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, helping other families have a place to stay close to their children when they need each other most.
Standing there and watching Jaxon write that number, we couldn’t help but think about everything behind it.
Every duck.
Every donation.
Every volunteer.
Every person standing along the bridge and the river.
Every person hundreds or thousands of miles away cheering us on.
Every time someone says Hudson’s name.
All of it matters.
Hudson’s life was far too short. But his story is still being written — by Jaxon, by our whole family, by Shelby, and by this crazy, wonderful Duck Drop family that somehow keeps getting bigger every year.
Thank you for carrying him with us.
And Jaxon, someday when someone asks about the first check you ever wrote, you’ve got a pretty good answer:
It was for $20,250. And it was for your brother.
