CHARLOTTE HALL, Md. — The Halbleib family will host the annual Taylor’s Trot memorial walk and run on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Gilbert Run Park in Charlotte Hall. The event is dedicated to honoring the memories of three young people whose lives were lost to impaired driving while raising awareness about the devastating consequences of drunk driving.
Registration opens at 10:30 a.m., with the walk beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Amplifier Pavilion located at 13140 Charles Street. The registration fee is $25 per person. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome to join their owners for the outdoor activity.
The Taylor’s Trot honors Taylor Halbleib, Ethan Ruefly and Autumn Jenkins. Taylor served as a passionate volunteer with the Humane Society of Charles County and was actively in the process of adopting a dog at the time of her death. That personal connection makes this year’s gathering especially meaningful to the Humane Society and its many local supporters, who view the event as both a tribute to Taylor’s commitment to animal welfare and a broader call for road safety.
By participating in the memorial walk and run, families and residents have an opportunity to come together in remembrance and to advocate for safer choices behind the wheel. Impaired driving continues to affect communities across Charles County, and events such as the Taylor’s Trot help focus attention on prevention. The gathering encourages open conversations about the issue and supports efforts to reduce future tragedies through greater awareness.
The event combines a meaningful memorial with a positive community activity. Participants can walk or run at their own pace while showing solidarity with the families involved. The presence of leashed dogs adds a family-friendly element that reflects Taylor’s love for animals and allows more people to take part in a comfortable, inclusive way.
The Taylor’s Trot has become a yearly tradition that brings people together to remember the three young lives while promoting responsible decision-making on the roads. Organizers emphasize that every participant contributes to a larger public safety message that can help protect others in the future. The Humane Society of Charles County benefits directly from the event through registration fees and donations, linking animal welfare efforts with the human-interest story at its core.
To register, visit [https://humanesocietycc.org/…/taylor-s-trot…/562169]. Donations to support the cause and the Humane Society can be made at https://humanesocietycc.org/news-events/taylors-trot.html.
This annual observance takes place in a region where community events often serve multiple purposes: honoring those lost, supporting local nonprofits and highlighting important safety issues. As the date approaches, the Halbleib family and the Humane Society of Charles County are encouraging broad participation from throughout Southern Maryland. The Amplifier Pavilion setting at Gilbert Run Park provides an ideal outdoor venue for the walk and run, allowing attendees to enjoy the park while focusing on the day’s important message.
Residents who attend will help ensure that the stories of Taylor Halbleib, Ethan Ruefly and Autumn Jenkins continue to inspire action. The event stands as a testament to how one family’s loss has been channeled into an ongoing effort to prevent impaired driving and to celebrate Taylor’s spirit through her connection to animal rescue work. With dogs welcome and a modest registration fee, the Taylor’s Trot remains accessible to a wide range of participants who want to make a difference.
Community members unable to attend in person are still invited to contribute through donations, which directly aid the Humane Society’s mission. The combination of remembrance, advocacy and support for local causes makes the Taylor’s Trot a distinctive event on the Charles County calendar.
