By JULIE GOLDER

Staff writer

As of Jan. 1, 2012, Marion McLain of Bonners Ferry has  collected 625,000 pull tabs from pop cans for the Ronald McDonald House.

McLain has collected enough for a two-year, five-month, one hour and 20 minute stay at RMH, or for several families to stay for shorter periods of time.

A Ronald McDonald House can be a second home to families with a child staying at the hospital. Children who are sick and need hospital doctors' care but don't need to stay overnight in the hospital can stay with their families in a Ronald McDonald House.

People collect pull tabs for the RMH, then RMH recycles the pull tabs to earn money to take care of the house and people who stay there.

Some children will serious illness families have to travel hundreds of miles to be near the hospital the child is admitted to. A RMH nearby can keep families together during this difficult time. The house offers a central family kitchen, private family bedrooms, living areas and room for children to play.

Ronald McDonald Houses are set up world wide and have been around since 1974.

Volunteers and staff are on hand to help families and offer support.

McLain is looking for more tabs so anyone who would like to help can call him at 267-3739.