Kalispell Regional Medical Center unveiled its Ronald McDonald family room Thursday night at the hospital.

Michelle Hadwin, owner and operator of Kalispell McDonald’s restaurants and a state board member on the Ronald McDonald House Charity, gave a mission statement and welcomed people to the open house.

“The Ronald McDonald House Charity is a worldwide charity that aids families whose children are going through a traumatic process,” she said. “Whether it’s cancer treatments, surgery, terminal or non-terminal, it’s a home away from home.”

Hadwin said that a portion of every Happy Meal purchased in Missoula, Kalispell, Polson and Ronan went to the construction of the room.

It is the fourth Ronald McDonald House facility in Montana, with houses in Missoula and Billings and another family room in Billings.

The usual way the houses work is to have them across the street from the hospital so families can visit children easily. The family rooms such as the one in Billings and the new one in Kalispell Regional are within the walls of the hospital and are for day use only.

The Kalispell room will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

“We didn’t see the need for overnight,” Hadwin said. “But that could all change in the future.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.