When 3-year-old Dylan Hoffman passed away last year, Wilton embraced his family with support and generosity in his memory. Just one year later, Dylan’s mom, Caroline Hoffman, is again honoring her son’s legacy, and hopes Wilton will join her once more in helping to pay it forward.
Like last year, she is holding another a bake sale to support the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, which provided the Hoffman family incredible services and a place to stay during the extended times Dylan spent in the hospital. Caroline’s bake sale will run today, Monday, Sept. 21, from 3-7 p.m. at the Village Market.
She raised more than $1,000 at last year’s sale.
“The generosity was overwhelming and the support shown shortly after Dylan had passed was incredible. We are truly grateful to live in a community that is so charitable,” she says.
A short four weeks after Dylan was born, he had a massive stroke and was rushed to Westchester Medical Center to undergo heart and brain surgery. She and her husband, Kevin, didn’t want to leave Dylan’s side in the weeks that followed. Rather than come home to Wilton each night, they stayed across the street at the Ronald McDonald House during Dylan’s hospitalization and later rehabilitation hospital.
“During Dylan’s initial stay we were so lucky to have gotten a room at the Ronald McDonald House so that we were close by. Having a comfortable bed, place to cook, and take a hot shower was such a relief. The best part was we were just across the parking lot from Dylan if we needed a break. The house is invaluable to families going through health issues with their children,” Caroline has said of their stay.
She adds that the program at the house runs on donations as McDonald’s does not fund it.
Despite their own medical costs, the Hoffmans felt strongly about helping others who faced a similar situation, and are active each year fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House. In addition to today’s bake sale, they also take part in the yearly walk to support the organization.
Dylan had been scheduled to be the Grand Marshall at last year’s walk, but he passed away just one month before. In an incredible gesture, the Ronald McDonald House has named the annual walk after Dylan, and it is now The Dylan J. Hoffman Memorial Walk to Benefit the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley.
“We’d love people to come walk with us on Sunday, Sept. 27 on the grounds of Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, which is where the house is located,” Caroline says.
As for today’s bake sale, Caroline will have mini-cupcakes from The Cake Boutique, and there will also be homemade treats from some former professional bakers and chefs as well as those donated from several Wilton families.
“I want our community to know the house has supported our family and if anyone is every in a crisis like we were they have access to this valuable resource,” she adds.
To support Caroline’s bake sale, stop by the Village Market between 3-7 p.m. today. To donate or join the Hoffman’s team for the walk, visit their team page. To read more of Dylan’s story, click here.