Philanthropists Nix and Virginia Lauridsen have contributed $1.5 million for the Ronald McDonald House at MercyOne’s Children’s Hospital. The contribution, the largest private donation for the “You Are The Key to Our House” capital campaign, has catapulted the campaign past its $5 million goal, MercyOne officials said. The campaign will help the Des Moines Ronald McDonald House open a second location inside MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines. The new 14-bedroom facility is slated to open in December, increasing the organization’s capacity to serve families by 40 percent. The Lauridsen Wing in the new RMH will host several private guest suites, an area for daytime guests to regroup and receive respite, a great room, game room and an entrance to the kitchen-dining area. “We are pleased to be part of this expansion project ensuring that children have access to top quality health care and to help reduce the financial burden for families as they support their medically fragile child,” the Lauridsens said in a statement.