May Day! May Day! Ronald McDonald House of Rochester breaking ground in two weeks

ROCHESTER, MINN.—The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester, Minnesota announced at Tuesday night’s Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner that it will break ground on its 30-room expansion on May 1.

The Board of Trustees voted to move forward with the expansion at its monthly meeting in March, reflecting significant progress in the $16.5 million Love Tremendously Hope Exceedingly capital campaign.

“It’s an exciting time for the House,” said Peggy Elliott, Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester. “We didn’t know if we would be able to break ground this year, but thanks to the support of local businesses, individuals and the community and the leadership of the Board of Trustees, we will be able to serve many more families beginning in 2019.”

In addition to the 30 guest rooms, the expansion will include a small indoor gym, indoor and outdoor play areas, underground parking, and green space. All aspects will be completed using modern construction, creating welcoming and comfortable areas for children and families.

The expansion makes the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester the largest Ronald McDonald House in the state of Minnesota.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” Board of Trustees President Dr. Dawn Davis said. “As a provider who cares for children, I can’t say enough about the new spaces being added to the House. Play areas are vital to their health and wellness, both physically and mentally.”

The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester serves nearly 1,000 families per year, but the need for its services continues to grow, as Mayo Clinic sees 1.65 million outpatients and 130,000 hospital admissions annually. The expansion allows the House to serve many more families for years to come.

“Families travel hundreds or thousands of miles seeking care at Mayo Clinic,” said Dr. Randy Flick, Director of Mayo Clinic Children’s Center. “The House truly becomes a home for children and families facing enormous health challenges, providing far more than a place to stay. Without its incredible staff and facility, many families would simply not be able to access Mayo Clinic care.”

But the work is not over. More families need the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester and the Love Tremendously Hope Exceedingly capital campaign is not complete. The planned cost for the expansion is $16.5 million and, with $13.2 million in funds raised to date, the House still needs to raise $3.3 million.

“The groundbreaking is a significant milestone, but it is not the final goal,” Capital Campaign Chair Ed Clark said. “The House still needs your support to complete the expansion. Will you help us reach the finish line?”

Founded in 1980 as Northland Children’s Services, the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester, Minnesota provides a home-away-from-home and offers support to families seeking medical care for their children. For more information about the expansion and the Love Tremendously Hope Exceedingly capital campaign, visit wordpress-342253-1376010.cloudwaysapps.com.