$650,000 challenge grant would help build new Ronald McDonald house

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc. has issued a $650,000 challenge grant to Ronald McDonald House Charities in Wichita, which is to be used toward building a new Ronald McDonald House.

The grant is subject to Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita reaching its $3.4 million goal by Oct. 10, 2018.

As of Nov. 11, 81 percent of the goal has been funded, according to their website.

Susan Smythe, CEO of the charity, said it means a tremendous amount to have been awarded a challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation.

“This is the most difficult grant I have ever gone after, so when they give their blessing, it tells the world this is an amazing project,” Smythe said.

If the goal is met, Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita will be constructing a 20-bedroom Ronald McDonald House on the first and second floors of the Wesley Health Strategies Plaza building.

“We are incredibly thankful and excited for The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation’s support,” Smythe said in a release. “When children must travel long distances to access top medical care, accommodations for families can be expensive or not readily available. Our Ronald McDonald House helps families stay close to their ill or injured children, increasing the caregivers’ ability to spend more time with their child, to interact with their clinical care team and to participate in critical medical care decisions.”

If you would like to help Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita reach their goal, you can donate at https://www.hopehasanewhome.com/. Smythe said they have tax credits for $200,000 available.

“This is the time of year where people can make their donation go even further with these tax credits,” Smythe said.

This story was originally published November 7, 2017 at 9:16 AM with the headline "$650,000 challenge grant would help build new Ronald McDonald house."