Canopies of oak trees with Spanish moss hanging down line the streets and there are early signs of pink azaleas beginning to bloom. It’s a beautiful, breezy February day in Mobile, Alabama, and I have the pleasure of joining Alabama Beta Gray Zimlich on a walking and driving tour of the city.

Gray was born and raised in Mobile and has lived here her whole life except, for the four years she spent studying speech at the University of Alabama. She has so much to be proud of. I could tell you about how her husband was in a band with Jimmy Buffet, the countless hours she spends in the library looking up her family genealogy, the wonderful history lesson learned from the Mobile Carnival Museum or the moon pie banana pudding we shared over lunch. But one of my favorite things to hear Gray speak of is the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile.

Gray’s son, Day, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 10 years old. Gray and Day stayed in the Ronald McDonald House in Boston for three months while he was receiving treatment. Upon their return home, Day asked his mother why there was no Ronald McDonald House in Mobile, so Gray promised to build one for him.

Gray found that doctors and McDonalds restaurant owners in the local area were interested in the project, so she met with them to start the plans. Additionally, Gray was instrumental in raising $3 million to build the original home. The home accommodated 12 families and opened in February 2000. Gray made her 10-year-old son’s dream a reality and he even got to cut the ribbon to open the facility. Now, with an expansion completed in 2011, the home allows for up to 38 families to be housed while the children are being treated at local areas.

Gray is also proud of the Red Shoe KREWE Ambassador Program made up of high school juniors and seniors to serve guest families at the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile. The Red Shoe KREWE is responsible for volunteering at least four hours a month helping to cook food for the families or plan activities for the guests. Gray believes the program allows for leadership development, which the volunteers accomplish by participating in a retreat and ropes course, and taking on roles on the leadership board. Additionally, the Red Shoe KREWE is responsible for planning the annual city-wide event called “The Bunny Hop,” an Easter festival held in the sculpture garden located near the entrance of the University of Southern Alabama Children’s & Women’s Hospital. The Bunny Hop has raised upwards of $10,000 for the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile — during just one event!

Gray continues to be a “Professional Volunteer,” as she calls it, visiting the home weekly and serves as an Emeritus Member of the Board of Directors. Thank you, Gray, for sharing the wonders of Mobile and for your support of your community.