BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho is on track to open their new home in February.
And the house is in a big hurry to get finished because they are turning people away daily.
“We turn away, depending on the day, anywhere from five to ten families every single night,” Executive Director Mindy Plumlee said.
The current home hosts 17 families and the new facility can hold 47 families.
“Really, the space should last us close to about 10 years, being able to provide every family who needs a place to stay,” said Plumlee.
This is something that is important to Plumlee as she finds her purpose in helping others. She says helping more is a great feeling.
“A lot of the stuff that goes on here and the things that are provided. The staff is unbelievably friendly and nice, and they really make you feel at home, it's just been outstanding,” Jonathan Clark who is staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
He is there for his daughter Rylan Clark, who has gone through doctors’ appointments at nearby St. Luke’s almost Daily.
“It's almost like being in your own home,” said Chelsea Galle, also staying with Rylan. “You can come down make your breakfast.”
And being like a home is something Plumlee says is important to people who stay with them. She says the new Ronald McDonald House features living spaces with open windows overlooking a playground and courtyard and even a secret toy room that welcomes kids.
“Families still have space where they could come in and cook,” Plumlee said walking through the new kitchen. “For some families that is still really therapeutic. They want to be able to cook they want to be able to kind of use that as beginning back to a normal environment for themselves.”
The space should host families for the next 10 years without having to turn others away.
The work still isn’t done, however.
“Part of what we're raising funds, for now, are kind of some help with operating,” Plumlee said. “Some of the supplies and furniture that's going to be going in.”
The expansion project is being funded by RMHC of Idaho’s “Room for Every Family” capital campaign.
In order to make this new 14,000 square foot house a reality, the Ronald McDonald House's goal is to raise a total of $15.3 million. So far it's raised about $11.9 million but still have around $3.4 million left to raise in order to make room for every family.
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