"10 Things About Mary Drake & Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego -

Mistakes happen – learn from them, move on and forgive those that have hurt you.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego provides a home-away-from-home for families with a hospitalized child. Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego depends on community support to stay open for families in need. It is independent of both McDonald’s and its partner hospitals.

This year’s ROMP gala celebrates 10 years of Family Care Center services – meals, napping rooms, showers and more – for families needing a daytime base during their child’s hospitalization. The funds raised at ROMP will support this important space and it will help keep the 56 guest rooms available for overnight stays for families when they need it most.

10 Things About Mary Drake & Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego

#1 I was born in Havana Cuba. When I was 9 years old, we moved to Burbank, California.

#2 The one quality that I think is most important to have, has to be COMPASSION.

#3 I have been fortunate to travel the world with my husband Hudson; there are so many destinations we loved. If I have to pick one, it’s definitely Africa. I would also like to go to the Seychelles.

#4 We have 4 dogs: Summer, Bruno, Noelle and Molly. Three of my dogs are rescues and we have two rescue cats – Pasqua and Tilly. I also have four horses: Phoebe, Kashmir, Loulou and Calvin. Not rescues, but spoiled just the same!!!

#5 Most people don’t know I’m a tad superstitious!

#6 By nature, I’m an extremely positive person. If I’m having a bad day, I’ll probably curse and get over it!

#7 I try to trust my instincts.

#8 My husband and I have been married 19 years. I never imagined I would be married to such a loving, kind, fun and supportive man. No question, I saved the best for last.

#9 When I started riding horses again, I had a fall. I broke my tibia, had surgery and had to stay in bed for three months. It was a great time to catch up on Netflix!!! I felt very loved and supported by family and friends that would visit, bring meals and keep me company. It’s not that I’m happy I broke my leg, but my heart was full from the support I received.

#10 When their baby needed surgery to correct a life-threatening heart condition, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego provided the Pelekai family comfort while they were away from home. They had a place to sleep in one of our guest rooms right across the street from the hospital. The family could also count on three nutritious meals every day. They didn’t have to worry about their other daughter missing school – she continued her studies at our onsite school so that she could stay with her parents during their time away from home.