May 28, 2025
“Having a sick child is not only very difficult emotionally it’s often very difficult financially, too. Many times, accessing specialized healthcare is a challenge for families, and a parent might even need to stop work for a time to become
a caregiver,” says Jim Kapeluck, Wealth Advisor, Associate Advising Representative at CC&L Private Capital and Board Chair for Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta®.
Addressing a growing need
Ronald McDonald House Charities® offers a home-away-from-home to families who live too far away from treatment facilities to adequately support their sick children. “Often times, families are turned away,” Jim notes, “as there is
such a great need”.
“We have a Ronald McDonald House® in four locations within Alberta: one in Medicine Hat, another in Red Deer, and two large Houses in Calgary and Edmonton. The Ronald McDonald Houses in Calgary and Edmonton were only able to accommodate 14%
of families who needed to travel for pediatric care, sometimes resulting in families being separated from their sick children.
“We recently celebrated the official grand opening of our House in Calgary, following a $35 million expansion plan that took two years to complete, which has tripled the size of that facility allowing us to meet more of the need. We will soon be
starting construction on a $50 million new House in Edmonton, adjacent to the site where the new Children's Hospital will be built, and we are hoping to break ground in the next year or so. When complete, this will provide significantly more access
for families, easing their burden.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities
The idea for Ronald McDonald House came to an oncologist, Dr. Audrey Evans, who saw families eating from vending machines and sleeping in the hallways of the hospital where their child was being treated. That oncologist’s dream was made a reality
with help from the Philadelphia Eagles and McDonald’s when the first home opened near the Philadelphia Children's Hospital in the United States. Fast forward 50 years, and there are over 387 Ronald McDonald Houses in 62 different countries around
the world. These Houses serve the families of children in active treatment at nearby medical facilities, providing home-cooked meals and accommodation, either for a nominal fee or free of charge. Dr. Audrey Evans’ amazing story is depicted in
the recently released feature film ‘Audrey’s Children’.
The CC&L Foundation connection
CC&L Private Capital has a long history with Ronald McDonald House Charities. Other Wealth Advisors involved with the charity include Ben Findlay, who volunteers for the Saskatchewan capital campaign; Bob McDonald, who volunteers for the Vancouver
capital campaign, and Duane Legister, who sits on the National Board.
Jim was involved with the Children's Wish Foundation (now known as Make-a-Wish) for 25 years. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his service. The medal is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions
to their country. Jim was appointed to the Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta® three years ago and was elected Chair of the Board in October 2024.
“I sit on the fundraising cabinets for both Calgary and Edmonton, and when we began discussing these extension plans, I got the CC&L Foundation involved straight away. In 2022, the CC&L Foundation committed $125,000 to Ronald McDonald House
Charities Alberta® towards these two projects. It's a privilege to work for an organization that supports the communities of its staff, and the causes close to their hearts.”
Each year, the CC&L Foundation supports numerous not-for-profit organizations across Canada, focusing on organizations where employees and partners have a personal connection. The foundation aims to promote a better environment, improve education
outcomes, advance science and medicine, build stronger communities, and encourage the arts.
The power of making a difference
Jim well-knows the important role a Ronald McDonald House plays in the lives of the families they serve. “I was walking out of a meeting at the Edmonton house with hockey legend Kevin Lowe when we met a single mother from the Yukon. She had one
of her daughters with her, the other was hospitalized nearby. She and her daughter had lived at the House for two years. Her daughter even referred to it as ‘her house’, and to the hospital as ‘her baby sister’s house.’
In that moment, “Kevin was hooked,” says Jim, “he became our honorary co-chair.” He adds, smiling, “Meeting these families, and seeing the difference it makes in their lives, is quite incredible.”