Laurens County Native Dawson Green to Run NYC Marathon in Memory of Brother and in Support of Ronald McDonald House Charities

Laurens County native Dawson Green is lacing up his running shoes for more than just a personal milestone—he’s taking on the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon to honor his late brother and raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of New York.

Green, who now works as a CPA in Greenville, SC, recently completed his first half marathon in February and was inspired to set his sights higher.
“I really enjoyed the grind of training as well as the rewarding feeling of finishing the race,” he said. “The NYC Marathon has been a goal of mine for a while, and after the half marathon high, I decided to go for it.”

But for Green, this run is about more than just finishing 26.2 miles. It’s about giving back to an organization that once gave his family a place of peace during one of their darkest times.

In 2004, Dawson’s oldest brother, Jared, was involved in a tragic car accident. He was airlifted to a hospital in Greenville—more than an hour away from the family’s home. That’s when the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville opened its doors.

“They gave my mom a place to stay full-time during those critical months,” Green shared. “On weekends, my dad, my siblings, and I would join her. We found not just a bed, but a sense of warmth, stability, and compassion in the midst of our hardest days.”

Though Dawson was only four at the time, he still remembers the statue of Ronald McDonald at the house and the feeling of joy when visiting his mom. His mother still wears her RMH sweatshirt, a tangible reminder of the kindness they received.

Now, with a deep personal connection to the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Dawson is running to ensure other families can experience that same comfort.

Green’s training officially begins this summer with a plan that includes running up to 50 miles a week, gradually building to a 22-mile long run before race day. But balancing work, training, and fundraising has required discipline.

“It takes time management and sacrifice,” he said. “Whether it’s waking up early before work or running right after, I’ve learned to plan my weeks carefully.”

Fundraising is underway, and Dawson has already raised nearly half of his $3,500 minimum goal, with a personal stretch goal of $5,000. Donations can be made via his fundraising page: Donate to Dawson’s NYC Marathon Fundraiser

He hopes community members will consider not only donating, but also supporting his journey through shares, prayers, and encouragement.
“It will take a lot to get through 26.2 miles, so knowing I have a whole community behind me would mean the world.”

To young people in Laurens County, Dawson offers a heartfelt message: “You can do anything you put your mind to. Find something meaningful and support it in your own way. I wasn’t a runner in high school or college—but now I’m using running to make a difference. That’s a powerful thing.”

As he looks toward race day in November, Dawson is also looking forward to other big life moments—he’s engaged to fiancée Meghan, and the couple is planning an April wedding.

When he finally crosses the finish line in New York City, he says he’ll be thinking of the journey that got him there—the hours of training, the generous support of donors, and most of all, the memory of his brother Jared.

Want to support Dawson’s run for RMHC? Click HERE to visit his fundraising page and contribute.