RAPID CITY, S.D. — A new Ronald McDonald House is officially underway in Rapid City, marking a major step toward supporting families with seriously ill or injured children who need medical care far from home while also bringing new job opportunities to the area.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place October 1, signaling the start of construction for a 12-bedroom home at the corner of Fairmont and Elm. The facility will offer free lodging, meals, and comfort for families seeking care at Monument Health and other area clinics.
“This is the start of a home that will take care of families when their children are at their most vulnerable,” said Kevin Miles, chief executive officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota. “Every day, about nine families need our services, and that number is expected to double in the next five to ten years.”
The project, managed by RCS Construction, is expected to open within a year, depending on weather conditions. When complete, the house will include shared kitchens, family gathering spaces, workout and game rooms, and areas for rest and recovery, creating a home away from home for parents enduring some of their hardest days.
Miles said the $8 million project is about 90 percent funded through a capital campaign that continues to welcome community support. The long-term vision includes expanding to 22 bedrooms as need grows.
“We wanted to start strong and build for the future,” Miles said. “Everything gets more expensive the longer you wait, and right now there is a lot of excitement from people who want to help.”
The new Rapid City house will work closely with organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network and Make-A-Wish, providing family space and helping relieve financial strain for other nonprofits. “Our goal is to collaborate,” Miles said. “What can we do to help? That is always the question.”
The facility will be operated locally by Mission Director Rob Bradford and Development Director Sheila Klosterman, both based in Rapid City. The pair will oversee day-to-day operations, community outreach, and family support, ensuring the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities continues in western South Dakota.
The project is also expected to create up to 15 local jobs, including administrative, family care, and volunteer coordination roles.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota operates with the mission of keeping families close to their hospitalized children by providing essential housing and support. Miles said the goal is more than building walls. It is about building community.
“When people walk out of our events saying they made new connections, that is what this is all about,” he said. “It is about coming together to care for families and to grow as a community.”
The organization’s upcoming Red Gala, already sold out, will take place at the DoubleTree in Rapid City to celebrate the project’s progress and raise additional funds for its completion.
Donations, pledges, and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.rmhcsodak.org or by following @rmhcsodak on social media.