Richard Pass, CEO of Ronald MacDonald House (RMH) expained that each RMH is an independent small charitable organization - not part of the MacDonald's food chain. However, MacDonalds does contribute $ 0.10 for every meal to MacDonald Charity to support RMH in Canada. The RMH in Vancouver serves BC and the Yukon, mostly for families of onconolgy kids. The present RMH can accomodate 13 families but the need according to the childrens Hospital for BC and Yukon is 90. Negotiations ladned a deal so that a new RMH, large enoough for 75 families would be built on a current parking lot at the Childrens Hospital.
The capital campaign is trying to raise $27 million for the 4 houses to be part of the complex. The BC government has agreed to put up 50% for the money and so far another $6.5 million has been raised. Gound is to be broken for construction in May 2012 and completion scheduled for June 2013. The official opening will be Oct 4 2013, the 30th anniversary of RMH in Vancouver. Susequent operating costs will be about $ 2 million per year.