Rhett’s Rings

05/15/2026

Rhett’s Rings Birthday Fundraiser Results

We wanted to share Rhett’s Rings 5th Birthday Fundraiser results to provide transparency and communicate our plans for their use!

On April 6th, 2026, what would have been Rhett’s 5th birthday, we held two in-person fundraisers and advertised donating online through our secure donation platform at www.rhettsrings.org

Red Robin, Visalia, CA: $382.96
BJ’s, Folsom, CA: $227.65
www.rhettsrings.org donations: $225.00
Grand total: $835.61

These fundraisers were a HUGE success and we are so humbled, grateful & blessed that so many of you supported us and our mission to spread hope, love and advocacy in honor of our boy.

Impact:
$835.61 equates to roughly 41 ring stackers!

Rhett’s Rings pledges to purchase 10 Fisher Price Giant Rock-A-Stack ring stackers, 10 Fisher Price Drop Through Rock-A-Stack developmental activity toys & 10 Fisher Price Baby’s First Blocks for donations to autism therapy centers and children in need.

Additionally, we plan to make a $250 donation to one of The City of Visalia’s swim teams— The Waves, to help support children learn water safety and create a positive & safe environment around pools.

Lastly, the remaining $153 will remain in our 501(c)(3) nonprofit bank account to be readily available to support and fulfill toy donation requests from families or therapy centers we receive through our “Get Support” submission form on our website.

I know Rhett was smiling and stacking rings in heaven as he watched us all gather for such an important cause. I am forever grateful to everyone who made this possible on such a special, yet melancholy day for us. We will continue to build brighter futures— one ring at a time.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Warmest Wishes,
Mariah Tildesley
Rhett’s Mom, Rhett’s Rings Founder

Honoring Rhett by supporting children with autism through toy donations, advocacy, and community resources.

04/22/2026

Stopped by and met with Rhett’s coordinator, Veronica to drop off 7 ring stackers today! They will be used for developmental evaluations in their clinic and gifted to children who could benefit from them the most. This offficially marks ❤️82❤️ ring stackers donated— AND COUNTING! Read more about what services the Regional Center provides under “resources” at www.rhettsrings.org
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Central Valley Regional Center

04/03/2026

How do I formulate the words well enough for world autism awareness day after losing my own autistic son? But also, how could I stay silent? What honor and purpose would I be giving the legacy of my son’s life if I stayed quiet?

Autism rode into our families life like a dark horse. My mama instincts told me early on that Rhett would be diagnosed with autism. But, then came all the hurdles. The system. The referrals. Being the squeaky wheel. Demanding answers. Getting his diagnosis before age 3 was not normal. It was a reflection on how hard I advocated to get him the supports he needed.

Without a diagnosis, insurance doesn’t cover any therapies or necessary tools for our autistic children to thrive. It only made sense to knock on every door until someone answered.

World autism awareness day is more than reminding you that autistic people exist among us. It’s talking about the uncomfortable truths— some being severe, non-verbal, requiring 24/7 support and assistance and the vigilance of a hawk.

It’s 2026 and even today, parents and families all over the world don’t know where to start or what to do when they have a hunch their loved one may be on the spectrum. What if we met these families with supports, resource guides and a listening ear instead of encouraging them to wait it out? Research shows that the most profound time for impact in an autistic child’s life is before age 3. Majority of children are not diagnosed until far after that cut off. Do you see the disconnect?

This is why my work with Rhett’s Rings is so important. We get information, tools and resources in the hands of the most vulnerable— children and their families. Parents need to know that “no” doesn’t mean stop. It means “try again”.

Rhett was fortunate. He had all services, resources, benefits and supports lined up. We fought for him day in and day out. That makes the loss so much more painful, because none of that kept him here. Many people find autism beautiful— a superpower. Many, on the other hand find it debilitating and heartbreaking. Neither are wrong.

Please remember that no does not mean stop. It simply means try again. And try harder. Each and every time.

Mama loves you Rhett. One more day closer to eternity, my angel. God bless you, God loves you, mama loves you. Always.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

03/30/2026

ONE WEEK AWAY!

TWO FUNDRAISERS — DOUBLE THE IMPACT!

VISALIA & FOLSOM!

COME CELEBRATE RHETT’S 5TH BIRTHDAY, MONDAY APRIL 6TH!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Visalia: Red Robin
Folsom: BJ’s

20% OF ALL PROCEEDS GO BACK TO OUR NONPROFIT!

03/21/2026

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

02/25/2026

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
FOLSOM AND SURROUNDING TOWNS!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Come support Rhett’s Rings first official fundraiser on Rhett’s FIFTH birthday, Monday, April 6th!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
20% of dine in and to go orders go directly to our nonprofit to help coordinate toy donations and provide free advocacy services to autistic children and their families!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Please SHARE to spread the word!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

02/19/2026

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
VISALIA AND SURROUNDING TOWNS!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Come support Rhett’s Rings first official fundraiser on Rhett’s FIFTH birthday, Monday, April 6th!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
20% of dine in and to go orders go directly to our nonprofit to help coordinate toy donations and provide free advocacy services to autistic children and their families!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Please SHARE to spread the word!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

02/19/2026

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
VISALIA AND SURROUNDING TOWNS!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Come support Rhett’s Rings first official fundraiser on Rhett’s FIFTH birthday, Monday, April 6th!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
20% of dine in and to go orders go directly to our nonprofit to help coordinate toy donations and provide free advocacy services to autistic children and their families!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Please SHARE to spread the word!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Dine-in or order online Apr 6, 2026

02/15/2026

WE ARE LIVE!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

https://www.rhettsrings.org

It has been quite the project to get Rhett’s Rings official site up and running— but we are here and LIVE! Throughout our website, you will find a donate option for ring stackers, a soon to come PO Box address for correspondence, CA and country wide resources for autistic children and their families, our mission statement, a Get Support request form, blog for updates and much more to come!

Please take a look and provide feedback. We are actively developing ongoing donations and would greatly appreciate your shares and support!



Big shoutout and thanks to EDC Web Design for completing this project for us!
https://www.edcwebdesign.com/

Toy Donations, Advocacy and Resources 🎁 Join us in making a difference! Empowering Families We provide essential resources and support for families of children with disabilities. Get Involved Discover how you can support our mission and help children with autism thrive. Support Families with Auti...

02/09/2026

Rhett’s Rings stopped by UC Davis MIND Institute to donate ring stackers that will foster play & bring joy to kiddos with developmental needs. We met with the team that provides play group services to children with autism & similar conditions. These ring stackers will help aide these play groups with sensory friendly options to help foster growth and continued development. It is such an honor for Steven & I to give to the communities that Rhett was a part of. He benefited greatly from services similar to this. UC Davis MIND Institute UC Davis

www.rhettsrings.org should be up and running by February 20th. Please keep an eye out for the resources and get help page. If you or someone you know is in need of toy donation or advocacy support, we are always listening at [email protected]

Rhett’s Rings— building brighter futures, one ring at a time.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

01/23/2026

It is so moving & such a blessing to have friends share with me photos of ring stackers that remind them of my Rhett Wayne. Speaking about him, saying his name & reliving memories helps aide in this grief and recovery of the worst pain imaginable.

We are working on some very cool donation partnerships with neurodivergent play groups to help support children’s desire to play and our mission of spreading love, play & advocacy.

Please continue to follow along, like, share and send me photos of ring stackers out and about! Mama feels you, Rhett! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜