Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The current drive by Rochester’s Ronald McDonald House to raise money for its planned expansion has received a generous challenge grant.

The $250,000 challenge is from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.

It will help the RM House raise the remaining $4.5 million needed to break ground. The overall fundraising goal is $16.5-million. Just over half the amount was raised during the quiet phase of the fundraising campaign.

“We are tremendously grateful for this opportunity,” said Ed Clark, Chair of the campaign. “The House must come up with the matching dollar amount and we are asking for the community’s help in raising the dollars needed to receive the grant,” said Clark.

The foundation is named after Best Buy founder Richard Schulze.

The proposed project would nearly double the size of the facility located a few blocks from St Marys Hospital. The number of rooms would increase from 42 to 70 to help meet increasing demand. The expansion will enable the facility to serve 1,500 families per year, 600 more than the current number.

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