Little Rock, AR - [April 21, 2016] Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Arkansas will soon be celebrating the topping out of the new Ronald McDonald House being constructed at the corner of 10th and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Little Rock.

The ceremony will take place Tuesday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. at the construction site. At that time, instead of a traditional topping out beam placement, the Beacon of Hope will be set in place, representing the completion of the framing of the new facility. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign the Beacon before it is hoisted to the top of the building.

The Beacon of Hope was designed by the architect to be a comforting night light that can be seen from nearby Arkansas Children's Hospital. It will also guide and welcome families to their home away from home as they arrive from their own homes or other nearby hospitals. McDonald's generously sponsored the creation of the Beacon of Hope with their $1 million gift to the construction of the new House.

As of April 2016, Ronald McDonald House has raised $8.39 million of the $8.7 million needed to complete the 32,000 sq. ft. facility that will have 32 family suites, an 80-person dining room, large kitchen, family activity and play spaces, wellness garden, half-court basketball court and more. The 35 year-old organization has served more than 30,000 at its current location. The new facility plans to open in November of this year.